Khaki duckling biting chicks

[featheredhome]

I have a 1 Khaki Campbell about a week old that is housing with 6 chicks. All the same age. The past day or so he/she has been biting the chicks wings, butts and feet. They squeak and run away. I have tried removing her from the environment, but she goes nuts and tries to jump out of the pen next door and get back to the chicks. She's good for a few, then starts biting again. They have plenty of space and sufficient warmth. Not sure what to do. We get our other Khaki next week for companionship. First time poultry mama, and not sure what to do.

Thank you.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. It seems to me that separating the duck, within the same brooder (so she can see the chicks) is the best way to go - you'll simply have to ignore her protestations.

Best wishes
CT

 

[featheredhome]

Thank you CTKen for the reply. Do you feel it to be unwise to let them be and see what happens. She seems fine most of the time, but then again I'm not watching them 24/7. They are in a separate area of the house. I get that she might feel singled out, but she's been with them since the beginning. I don't want any other chicks getting harmed. Thanks again.

 

[drumstick diva]

I agree with CTken, if you have a wire partition between them she can't hurt them and can see they are there. If you had a bully chick, you would do the same thing. She is upsetting your chicks which will put any socialization with humans on the back burner.

I would not be surprised if ducky acts the same way to the new duckling you are getting.

 

[Pork Pie]

Thank you CTKen for the reply. Do you feel it to be unwise to let them be and see what happens. She seems fine most of the time, but then again I'm not watching them 24/7. They are in a separate area of the house. I get that she might feel singled out, but she's been with them since the beginning. I don't want any other chicks getting harmed. Thanks again.

Well, I've never kept chicks and ducklings together (never owned ducks) so may be you could ask on the duck forum - https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks. To be honest, the stress caused by her pecking at the chicks is not something that I would tolerate. Additionally, they may well be prevented from feeding, which is essential at a young age.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under featheredhome

Welcome!

As you have already received some great advice, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, featheredhome, and ! Great to have you in our community! In addition to the advice you've already received, here's a link to an article about keeping different poultry species together. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-keep-different-poultry-types-living-together-in-one-coop
Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[N F C]

You've been given some good advice and links...hope you can get ducky to calm down.