Khaki ducks mean to chickens

[Khall89]

I have 3 khakis (1 drake, 2 female) and they are just honest to god assholes to my chickens.
They're all free range so have nearly half an acre to wander but they are constantly chasing the chickens and trying to peck them. They've not done any damage per say but the chickens aren't particularly happy.
The chickens were here first and slowly introduced the ducks, they were fine for the first month but obviously settled in and weren't scared to show their true colours.

Any ideas on how to get them to behave civilly?

 

[johntfs]

I have 3 khakis (1 drake, 2 female) and they are just honest to god assholes to my chickens.
They're all free range so have nearly half an acre to wander but they are constantly chasing the chickens and trying to peck them. They've not done any damage per say but the chickens aren't particularly happy.
The chickens were here first and slowly introduced the ducks, they were fine for the first month but obviously settled in and weren't scared to show their true colours.

Any ideas on how to get them to behave civilly?

They're animals. They're not going to behave "civilly." If the chickens aren't being physically harmed, let it go for another couple weeks. It could be a dominance thing in which the ducks are literally establishing a "pecking order." If it's still happening after a couple more weeks, ration the free range time or otherwise divide the range so that the chickens have their time/territory and the ducks theirs.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How old are you ducks? I’m thinking hormones are the driving force behind any aggression right now. Springtime is on the way an many of us are seeing that change in our birds. I agree with @johntfs. You may need to do some rearranging through spring and summer.

 

[Khall89]

I think they're about 12 months old, we adopted them from an egg farm that was closing down so that's best guess.

I get animals don't do 'civil' was more of a wondering whether there's anything I can do to help them coexist better.

Im in australia so we're just coming into autumn but it could be hormones. Certainly haven't noticed any broody behaviours from the girls though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

KC aren’t into broody just made to lay lots of eggs. Hopefully with your season changing they will settle down some. I am having the opposite my Muscovy are starting into breeding season and I heard someone getting chased around last night when I put them to bed. Went in and my oldest at 13 yrs was on top of another female just holding her down. I picked her off and sat her in another part of the coop. I have a small coop I use for broodiness and solitary confinement if any of my females get to mean they spend a few nights away from their flock. That can help. When you say picking explain in detail what the ducks are doing

 

[Khall89]

They are super skittish, even at night I can't get close enough to grab them! I just try to herd them into a seperate area if they're being super assholes.

Anytime the chickens are in sight, they chase them, mouth open and making an awful ruckus. If they get close enough they try to give them a little nip but rarely get close enough to make contact.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Okay it’s normal behavior just acting dominant. My chickens an ducks live relatively peaceful together. But if a hen gets too close or is eating and a ducks wants to eat even though there is plenty of room a chicken is going to get pecked an made to move. Most of the time that’s all that happens but a few times I have seen a duck latch on and hold on while the chicken is trying to get away. Chicken isn’t hurt except for pride. What your seeing is most likely barn yard behavior and as long as no one is getting hurt just let them work it out. I have geese added to this mix an believe me it can be a 3 ring circus at times. Sometimes it’s like the school grounds with all the bullying going on. Then I’ll be sitting with them and they are all laying around together like a big family It’s quite interesting these birds.

 

[DiYMama540]

What are your nighttime arrangements for your flock?

 

[chickens really]

Set up a fence to set separate them..