How can I tell if my duck is being picked my other ducks?

[chnn90]

So I have four ducks (all female) and recently I've noticed that three of them have been picking on one of them. They've been nipping at her and she's always in the back of the group when they move around. She's usually outside of the group when they forage too. She also hasn't been laying (we think) and she's been loosing a lot of feathers too. At first she was just loosing little feathers then she started loosing more mature features (and a lot at one time). Is she sick or are the others just picking on her for some reason? And if they are picking on her, what can I do to make them stop?

 

[tonisummers]

Hmmm. I have a similar problem with my ducks. I notice that when I leave them alone they seem to argue and try to pick on each other. I separate mine for a day and then let them play again in awhile. Seems to help it's like they get on each other's nerves and all gang up on the passive one! Idk if it's any help, just offering my experience and $0.02

 

[chnn90]

Thank you! I'll try to separate them for a bit and see if anything changes.

 

[chickens really]

How old are these Ducks?
Possibly moulting ?
A bit of bossing happens in Ducks...Always a top Hen that everyone follows....My little Call Hen Is very bossy....

 

[chnn90]

They just turned one in may. And I thought it might be molting, but I didn't think they lost so many mature feathers (if any) when they molted

 

[chickens really]

They just turned one in may. And I thought it might be molting, but I didn't think they lost so many mature feathers (if any) when they molted

They lose lots of feathers....All feathers get replaced.....