How to get rid of a mean drake?

[chkva]

I personally would exhaust every non-euthanasia option first. There are not enough females, which could be causing his aggression and you have more females but not old enough yet. Waiting until they're older might help and you can put him by himself for now then reintroduce when they're older. Having more than one feeding station would help with the food aggression because he cannot watch more than one station at a time. I'm not sure how big their area is, but the bigger the better because the more area he has to roam the less he can watch. Do you have things to keep them not bored and occupied? Sometimes boredom causes aggression.

I only say I would ehaust all options because I have rehomed before and I always think of the what ifs after. If you exhaust all options you won't feel that guilt.

Roosters have always been tough for me because you either get a really good one or you get a really bad one, I have not seen any in between. Usually when they reach sexual maturity right in the beginning, they can be quite a nuisance. Most of the time it's because they are guarding their hens, but sometimes they can cause physical harm which is in their nature. Usually manning up to them works but sometimes you get one that will just challenge you even more. I just met a woman yesterday at the farm who said she had Jersey Giants and her Jersey Giant rooster was one I would not want to run into!

 

[danceswithronin]

I would turn him into duck l'orange.

 

[chickens really]

My son shoots what needs to be gone.
I never mess around .

 

[bluemerle]

It really does come down to your attitude/values. I know a lot of people only want 'easy' animals - animals who never make a fuss, animals who never need accommodation, animals who never have medical or behavioral needs that require effort. If that's what you want, you either stick to animals that are known to be lo-fuss ......... or you end up killing a lot of animals.

Drakes, roosters, ganders - any male animal that is commonly left uncastrated - are all a lot of 'work'. This is because they are ruled by hormones. Some behaviors you can fix! Adding more feeding stations and waterers is always what I recommend when you start running into bullying problems, because it usually works and it's an easy thing to do. Separation is also easy, can be low-stress for everyone involved. Research suggests that animals who can see other animals - even if they can't touch them - are always happier than solitary animals, so even if it's a long term thing, I don't think you should feel guilty about it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[DucksOhio]

It really does come down to your attitude/values. I know a lot of people only want 'easy' animals - animals who never make a fuss, animals who never need accommodation, animals who never have medical or behavioral needs that require effort. If that's what you want, you either stick to animals that are known to be lo-fuss ......... or you end up killing a lot of animals.

Drakes, roosters, ganders - any male animal that is commonly left uncastrated - are all a lot of 'work'. This is because they are ruled by hormones. Some behaviors you can fix! Adding more feeding stations and waterers is always what I recommend when you start running into bullying problems, because it usually works and it's an easy thing to do. Separation is also easy, can be low-stress for everyone involved. Research suggests that animals who can see other animals - even if they can't touch them - are always happier than solitary animals, so even if it's a long term thing, I don't think you should feel guilty about it.

Thanks for all the advice. I DO have multiple feeding/watering in the house, which is also quite large.
This actually happens OUTSIDE the house as well. The drake will actually run across the yard to chase the girls away. He won't let them go into the pond.

After consideration, I've decided to contact our local, no-kill humane society that has a barn program. Hopefully they'll take him.

I really have decided that I'm incapable (mentally) of culling a duck (or other animal). But that's me. I certainly don't judge others for making a different decision.

 

[Kris5902]

Best wishes for you both! Hopefully a total change of scenery will solve his attitude issues, and you can all go back to a peaceful existence...

 

[onaharley]

I have my entire yard separated to keep my 2 year old drake at bay. Mind you its a small yard but still. He sleeps in his jail house by himself but he can see everyone. Him and his life long mate are on one side and the 3 other hens are on the opposite side during the day for free ranging. It's the only way to keep the peace and she is the only woman that can handle all that man.

I understand your mental state as well as your emotional state. If he would just claim the down and stop chasing everyone to mate, my life would be less stressful. The injuries and vet bills are going to kill me (not really but man it's like i go once a month for these guys) My drake has not only just injured himself (1st time) but his favorite gal.....yet again - like 4-5 times now. we have a vet vist next week.

Re homing a Drake right now is going to be tough because EVERYONE is going through this and EVERYONE has postings on drakes that they just can't deal with anymore. I get it, i really do!
If this drake was gone i would be soooooo stress-less! But hes my pet and i can't discard him because hes a thorn in my side. If given the right opportunity and the right conditions yes i would re home him in a heartbeat, but i think that will only happen in my dreams.

I just wanted to say i totally understand your situation.

 

[CindyinSD]

There are so many “easy” drakes out there. Why should the mean ones be allowed to pass on that DNA and make life miserable for you and for the rest of your flock? He could be contributing by supplying high quality protein to you and your family.

Cut a hole in the corner of a feed sack. Stick his head through and hang him upside down. I would probably tie his feet together but not hang him by them since I’ve heard the waterfowl have sensitive legs/feet. Sharp knife or poultry shears. Pull his head down and cut it off. The body will convulse but he cannot feel it. Make sure to spread a tarp and don’t wear your best tennis shoes.