HELP! Why are my Muscovies chasing the ducklings, trying to kill them?

[Bleenie]

I wouldn't give up, you just need to cull those agressive boys. Sometimes just one ducks can cause others to get all riled up and be mean to the babies. I have a couple hens that pill poke at my 1 month old babies but they've never been what i would consider agressive towards them, just don't like them in their space. My babies tend to stay close to my Blue drake or my Blue Fawn hen, they rather like the babies and keep them blocked from the moody girls.

I don't keep nasty-mannered ducks at all, i sell them if i cannot get them friendly or stop them from being mean to others. Both my current drakes came form the same breeder because her ducks have such mellow dispositions. Mine are pets so I breed for temperment and then other qualities.

 

[lovesduckies]

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i agree... the poor nutrition thing sounds like nonsense to me

 

[sandcat]

Im very new to all this but in my limited experience the duckling run away from any pecking going on aimed at them and I find that its always about food or who gets the best spot at the pond, My ducks free range over a very large area and their mothers have always been very good at protecting the ducklings. I put out 2 small pans of water for the ducklings as the bigger ducks like the pond(kiddy pool) then there is no fighting as there is plenty of water for everyone

I would get rid of any duck/drake that was continually aggressive towards the little ones. Our drake was a loving dad thats for sure, it could be the younger drakes trying to "climb" the pecking order, i dont know but good luck i hope it sorted soon.

 

[elizabethbinary]

I only have one drake but I've had issues with ducks wanting to kill their offspring. I had to separate them. My muscovy drake LOVES his babies, though. Always starts dancing when they hatch. Maybe I have the weird one?

 

[lovesduckies]

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aweeee that is soooo cute!!!!

i could imagine my drake hitting his children with his tail. that little man never stops wagging his tail! lol