Ganders Fighting????!!!!!!

[mominoz]

I thought maybe when I found some breast feathers in the night pen , then noticed one of their breast missing some feather..... Then today I let them out in day yard, I was hosing out the pen , when I hear Noises!!!

I turn around the the Ganders (2 Tufted Buffs) fighting!!!!! I have 2 pairs, they each have their own "wife"....But I guess it's spring and they are almost 2 years old. Some days they free range with the ducks (Runners- but are pretty territorial about their Pen ( I usually leave the doors open in daytime and all the gates)(3 day yards that can be separated.)
So those with breeding groups, should I now separate night and day, and dividing their pen? What about freerangeing in the pasture together? One gander has been a bit hissy and challenges me a bit, but backs off, so could it be I just have one who is more aggressive than I want to keep?

And his "wife" is the one who chases the ducks more....would you keep this pair... or opt to rehome them and keep the less aggressive pair...........or is this pretty normal? I was planning on breeding so I am watching to cull any that may be too aggressive.
Well yeah,

of course I want to separate them..... is this a just wait and watch....? What is your experience?

 

[Cottage Rose]

It's normal for ganders to be aggressive during the breeding season and yes they do need to be separated from each
other. They are capable of killing each other. They will fight through fences...potentially dangerous as well
so stout, secure separate pens are definately needed.
Some ganders will tolerate each other in free range situations but there is always potential for fighting/injury and death
to occur when you aren't there to supervise the situation.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

I concur with what Cottage Rose said. Last year we had to separate everyone because the fighting was horrendous. This year, there's been no fighting between the ganders and we didn't have to separate although we were fully prepared to and are still prepared to if we have to.

The ganders can get nasty and aggressive and they will fight until they injure each other badly. Death is not out of the question.

Laurie