Female mallard picking on one female chicken out of a group

[Mallard95]

I have four hens and two ducks, Recently the female duck has picked out one specific chicken and chases her away and plucks out her feathers. They all live together in one coop at the moment. I don't know what to do, I'm new at this and need some advice on what to do and why this is happening. Thanks!

 

[416bigbore]

Hello Mallard95, Welcome to BYC. I am new to this also, I am sure some one will be along shortly to help you with addressing the issue. Good Luck.

 

[Isaac 0]

Fighting amongst the birds can be caused by a few factors, but the first thing I immediately notice is that you're keeping in the same coop with each other. How big is this coop, do you have activities for them to do in it?

Most coops aren't big enough to house poultry all day, so if its too small, the duck may be resulting in bullying to satisfy her boredom. The solution is pretty self-explanatory, a bigger run/coop, and activities for them to do.

 

[jm1231]

So I’m noticing my female mallard doing this. All my birds roam my very large yard all day. They all sleep in a large shed, and within the shed I have a duck house that keeps the chickens and ducks apart thru the night. There’s several feeders several watering spots. She legit is just randomly doing it. I thought it was just one of the chickens but it seems to be two of them now. What do I do and why is she doing this all of a sudden. They all grew up around each other from babies till now…help

 

[Quatie]

So I’m noticing my female mallard doing this. All my birds roam my very large yard all day. They all sleep in a large shed, and within the shed I have a duck house that keeps the chickens and ducks apart thru the night. There’s several feeders several watering spots. She legit is just randomly doing it. I thought it was just one of the chickens but it seems to be two of them now. What do I do and why is she doing this all of a sudden. They all grew up around each other from babies till now…help

Is your Mallard broody by chance? Sometimes they can get a bit more hormonal and territorial when broody.

@Miss Lydia can help you with the chicken aspect. I only have ducks.

 

[raingarden]

We have a completely free range rouen duck and quasi-feral hen that do the same thing. The duck goes wild and chases the chicken around. I think it probably started with a squabble over food and the pecking order.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My ducks and chickens share a large coop my Muscovy can be very temperamental when they are broody the chickens have lived with them long enough to stay out of their way. My Muscovy have their own coop separate from the Runners Buffs and goose and chickens. I did that because my Runners pick on my Muscovy. I haven't had problems with ducks and chickens actually fighting everyone pretty much gets along which I am very thankful for. Only problem I've ever had was my rooster and my muscovy drake had a few squabbles until my Muscovy drake gave up and let the rooster rule the roost so to speak. My goose is the only one my rooster respects.
I have had to put a few Muscovy in solitary confinement overnight for picking but it usually doesn't last long.

 

[jm1231]

Is your Mallard broody by chance? Sometimes they can get a bit more hormonal and territorial when broody.

@Miss Lydia can help you with the chicken aspect. I only have ducks.

I thought of that and I think you’re right. The one she picks on just started laying as well, the duck is only 5 months so she’s not quite there yet. But maybe she’s jealous lol