Flock dynamics

[Canadian Wind]

Not a question, just an observation that I found interesting.

This morning, I allowed my two new hens (a Rouen, River, and a Cayuga, Zoe) to join the main flock. I of course kept an eye on everyone and watched as they integrated themselves. The only other duck to pay any significant attention to the Rouen was my Welshie drake, and all my Cayuga inspected Zoe. The Muscovy couldn't care less, lol!

Do the 'regular' ducks recognize those that are similar to them? Since Rouen and Welsh Harlequin are kind of similarly marked, kinda, is this why my drake focused on her? It wasn't mating behaviour, more of a gentle tussling about and establishing a pecking order. Same with the Cayuga.

Now granted, I have a fair amount of Cayuga, both pure and mixed, right now (7 out of 13), and apart from the Welshie the only 'different' one that was out today was my Magpie hen, the last three drakes being in Jail for the time being. Luna the Magpie did 'introduce' herself to Zoe the Cayuga, letting her know who was Boss Hen in those parts, but overall everything went well.

 

[Canadian Wind]

The two girls in question. Both hatched on June 6th. I know the Cayuga is a mix, but it's hard to tell with the Rouen.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My 2 Buff females hang out together and will also hang with the Runners they hatched with, but I do see the 2 Buffs laying side by side and also foraging together.

 

[Canadian Wind]

My Chocolate Muscovy trio also prefers to hang out together, away from the rest of the flock. They aren't very politically correct, are they?

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscovy aren't either they are their own flock. If I could just convince my Runner drake to leave the Scovy girls alone.

 

[Quatie]

A lot of my breeds like to hang out with each other even if they were not in the brooder together. But they also like it mix it up to. My big foragers like to hang out together. The runners and the Muscovy enjoy foraging together. My husband thinks they may forage for slightly different stuff and actually help each other out.

I also have some unique interactions too. I have Welsh harlequin who is different. She is not always there. But my three youngest Saxony girls have deemed her a queen. They will faun over her. They guide her and help help her all the time. She cried one time because she got left behind and the three ran over like bouncers to lead her to the flock. They have a unique relationship.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I also have some unique interactions too. I have Welsh harlequin who is different. She is not always there. But my three youngest Saxony girls have deemed her a queen. They will faun over her. They guide her and help help her all the time. She cried one time because she got left behind and the three ran over like bouncers to lead her to the flock. They have a unique relationship.

Awww! That is so sweet!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Released the three jail-birds this morning, and watched the drama unfold.

Everything went well, considering these are three drakes. Mist put one of them firmly in his place, doing the lay-on-top dominance thing.

All three were so happy to have access to a deeper pool where they could splash and wash!

Will get pics later.

 

[Canadian Wind]

The two drakes I got with the two ducks showed prior.
Ripley, a blue-eyed pale-billed Pekin mix, and Lennier, a mystery duck, although probably has some Runner in him from that colouring. He was originally named Delenn (bonus points to whoever gets these name references!).

And Freckles, the hyper pied Pekin mix, who was very happy to see his buddies who were gentlemanly enough not to be put in Drake Jail!

And yes, that pool water was clean this morning...

 

[Quatie]

They are very pretty drakes. It is is a very beautiful area.

And yes, that pool water was clean this morning...

It really only takes seconds for them to dirty water. One of my ducks had a prolapse last year. She was my tiniest duck, and she managed to turn a full tub of water brown with one poop. I mean like dark cloudy brown, can't see the bottom.