Flock angry at one muscovy

[Jnokomis]

Hi, I have a flock of muscovy, 1 male(Fred), 1 brown female(Ginger), 2 blue (Bonnie and Del) and one black female(Betty). Last night I could not convince the females to come off the roof to go to bed so they all stayed out in the rain while the male who could not fly spent the night in the coop. Today the females all decided to hate Ginger chasing her and pulling out feathers. She is the oldest and was hatched in April or May, the other girls are about a month younger. Fred comes up to Ginger and talks to her and does the greeting head bobbing which she has returned at least once. When the other girls come toward her she turns the other way and to me seems afraid. Ginger seems a bit depressed to me. Prior to this they were a happy family and Ginger seemed to be the lead keeping watch over everyone. What is going on and what can I do?

 

[Miss Lydia]

It seems to go around here also one week one of mine will be chasing her sister around next week it will be the opposite. I chalk it up to hormonal changes spring and summer are the worst here. If your going into fall hopefully this will all be over soon. Just keep an eye on her that they don't hurt her. If you decide to separate her it could make matters worse so if they can work it out themselves is always best. Also when one is sick they will pick on them too are you sure Ginger is feeling good?

 

[Jnokomis]

I'm actually not sure if she is ok. She seems sad like if a duck could mope and sigh it would be her. I can't say 100% that I'm not reading sick as depressed. She is not limping though is waddling slowly, she is drinking from puddles of rain water (it's raining here near Seattle). What signs should I look for if she is ill?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not eating, standing off by herself. How do her eyes look clear ?
Nares no drainage? My Muscovy's don't lay till following year after they hatch so she might not either. But I'd check out her vent is it pulsing like she is trying to push something out? vent healthy looking no discharge? Poop normal looking? If you don't know if she is eating you might want to put her by herself but where everyone can see each other just to make sure they are letting her eat. Or put out separate feed and water and keep close eye on her to see if she is eating.. Add some ACV to their drinking water it is a good tonic. 1 Tab to 1 gal of water.

 

[chickens really]

She is maturing....Drake likes her you said?
Position is changing with Hens...

 

[Jnokomis]

Re: Ginger and illness. She is was avoiding the other females but is eating, drinking, clear eyes, no discharge anywhere, front end or back end. At bedtime all 4 females were on the roof (again!) and seemed to be acting normally with each other. Ginger was only one to come down, she and Fred went into coop together. The other 3 girls are on the roof still (I am not happy with this new bedtime routine of theirs). I guess we will see what tomorrow brings

 

[Miss Lydia]

Clip one wing on each girl that will keep them grounded. Way too many preds. and Owls can carry off a Muscovy duck they all need to be secured at night.

Good to hear things are getting back to normal . Big relief I bet.