I've got eight ducks; two drakes and six hens. The drakes are Indian Runners, and the hens are Runners, Rouens and a Muscovy. Everybody has been together for at least a year, and always gotten along well with no drama. I've always liked the drakes because they were nice to the girls. The drakes weren't overly persistent in mating the girls, and the girls have never been harmed by the drakes. That's changed in the past week.
I heard a loud, distressed quacking from a Rouen and went outside to find both drakes on top of her. They had obviously been there for awhile, I chased them off and there were feathers everywhere. Not just little feathers- all her big flight feathers, with the quill attached. I picked up FIFTY large feathers. Her wings look like they got chopped off, her tail is almost gone, and many feathers are missing on her back, besides having a large bald spot on her head. She was in pretty sorry shape. I checked on the other hens, and found that the Muscovy had a big cut on her lower eyelid and the entire back of her neck and head were plucked bald and raw. I immediately separated the drakes completely from the hens. The Rouen is doing better now, but she was obviously very hurt. Instead of playing in her pool and roaming the property, she's been hunkered down and not moving much.
So here's where I need help and opinions on what to do with the drakes. At a minimum, the big drake has to go. He's the dominant drake and plus his size gives him an advantage over the hens. The smaller drake is pretty submissive and kind of a scaredy-cat. BUT, if I get rid of the big drake, will the small one then feel empowered and take over being the boss? I'm so torn on what to do. I don't want to doom the little drake, but I also don't want any more hens getting hurt. I should also add that this is very very hard for me, I get very attached to my animals, and honestly it would be easier for me to get rid of them both together, than to get rid of one, and then have to go through it again with the other.
What do I do? Get rid of both to make sure no hens get hurt? Or give the little drake a second chance?
I heard a loud, distressed quacking from a Rouen and went outside to find both drakes on top of her. They had obviously been there for awhile, I chased them off and there were feathers everywhere. Not just little feathers- all her big flight feathers, with the quill attached. I picked up FIFTY large feathers. Her wings look like they got chopped off, her tail is almost gone, and many feathers are missing on her back, besides having a large bald spot on her head. She was in pretty sorry shape. I checked on the other hens, and found that the Muscovy had a big cut on her lower eyelid and the entire back of her neck and head were plucked bald and raw. I immediately separated the drakes completely from the hens. The Rouen is doing better now, but she was obviously very hurt. Instead of playing in her pool and roaming the property, she's been hunkered down and not moving much.
So here's where I need help and opinions on what to do with the drakes. At a minimum, the big drake has to go. He's the dominant drake and plus his size gives him an advantage over the hens. The smaller drake is pretty submissive and kind of a scaredy-cat. BUT, if I get rid of the big drake, will the small one then feel empowered and take over being the boss? I'm so torn on what to do. I don't want to doom the little drake, but I also don't want any more hens getting hurt. I should also add that this is very very hard for me, I get very attached to my animals, and honestly it would be easier for me to get rid of them both together, than to get rid of one, and then have to go through it again with the other.
What do I do? Get rid of both to make sure no hens get hurt? Or give the little drake a second chance?
