I have 3 female and 1 male (at least that is what I ordered) Khaki Campbell ducklings that are now 5 weeks old. They moved outside on Saturday. They have a 10x20 grass lined run complete with pool and a spacious coop. I have indoor and outdoor feeders and waterers. The problem is, one of them feels it is absolutely necessary to pluck the quills of the new feathers out of 2 of the others ( it was only one being picked on until today, and now I see another one is affected). The poor things cry so much when this one does it. It is pulling the feathers that are coming in on the wings right out and the poor things are bleeding at times. The ones that aren't pulled out are broken off and scabbed over. This started about a week ago while they were still living in the house. I figured it would stop when they moved outside, but no such luck. It seems to happen more when I am around them or if they are swimming in their pool. Is there anything I can do to stop that one. I don't really have another place to separate the mean one unless I would bring it back in the house. Then it would cry and cry for its buddies though. I really need some help with this, any suggestions?!?!?!?!?!
The only way I know of to get him to stop is to separate him. Do you have a garage or shed you can put him in instead of in the house? I had to isolate a chicken that was being picked on and she's doing fine now, she doesn't seem to mind being by herself. Maybe you can fence off a small part of the run and keep him in there for awhile.
I just finished having to isolate one of my ducks with a bumble on her foot. I put her in a wire chicken cage in the pen with everybody else, she was a little upset at first but settled in within hours. I would build a wire enclosure in your duck area, near where the ducks hang out most often and isolate your bully duck in the enclosure to let the others heal.
I had three ducklings one time and the little female would pull the feathers from the two males. They had bald areas. It was maddening and I thought of giving her away. I kept her fenced from the others part of the time to give them a break. She was especially bad when they swam. The good thing I can tell you is that she outgrew the habit. She will still pick up feathers in the yard and eat them but she doesn't pull them out of anyone. Best of luck.
