Help - Mature Drake being overly frisky with 12 wk old additions

[Faracas]

Hi Duck-lovers,

I have a recently mature pair of Cayuga that I have raised since spring in a large enclosure w/water feature. I wanted to add some additional ducks and scored 2 Muscovy and 2 runners (12 wk old and beautiful) at a bird auction. They are healthy, and I tried to introduce them yesterday. The Cayuga drake immediately confirmed that I had a duck and drake of each type by forcing himself upon the new little ducks. He is significantly larger at this time and very... insistent, not giving the ducklings any chance to relax. I have removed the new ducks, but only have smaller cages to keep them in. Will the C. drake's amorous attentions injure the new ducks in any way, or should I just let them figure it out?

Thanks,

Cassandra

 

[dumb_cluck]

Keep them separated until the little ones are more his size.

 

[katharinad]

It's a dominance thing. It will get better when the pecking order has been established. I would keep them separated with a temporary fence in between so they can get used to each other. At the same time I would put them together for a short time daily so they can establish the pecking order. It will take its time. In my case it was 6 weeks, so be prepared.

 

[sourland]

Whether dominance or purely sexual in nature, it may be dangerous to the young ducks. In the water feature, he may drown the young ducks while trying to breed them. His larger size and weight may also physically injure the smaller ducks. Keep him seperate until the new additions are larger.