Kind of a duck/rooster question

[TheStooges]

So I have a very young flock with 2 cockerels and one drake. There are 10 pullets and 4 ducks. The chickens are a couple weeks older than everyone else. Two of the ducks are Muscovy, they’re the youngest but maybe only 3-4 weeks younger than the chickens. Finally, to my question… one of the cockerels, and the drake are OBSESSED with one of the Muscovy girls. They chase her nonstop. She gets away from the drake fairly easily, because he’s a pekin and not as agile as she is but the rooster keeps up with her pretty well. She is terrified of them now, they never leave her alone. She’s now hiding from them almost all the time. Is this something that should sort itself out? We have been keeping an eye on it and no one is really hurting her, just seemingly scaring her. Not sure if we should let them sort it or intervene. Any suggestions?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think and this is just from my own experience and a little different, one of my Runner drakes is obsessed with chasing down my 2 Muscovy females. He really stresses them out so I have had enough the Runners and Buffs will be in a separate part of their property [all fenced]along with the geese and the Muscovy will have their own space. I am tired of seeing my poor girls run down constantly by this Drake. Thankfully my roosters don't bother them. Maybe you need to put your cockerel and drake in some time out for a while.. I keep hoping my 2 females will kick this Drakes butt so he'll stop but so far they just run from him.

 

[TheStooges]

I think and this is just from my own experience and a little different, one of my Runner drakes is obsessed with chasing down my 2 Muscovy females. He really stresses them out so I have had enough the Runners and Buffs will be in a separate part of their property [all fenced]along with the geese and the Muscovy will have their own space. I am tired of seeing my poor girls run down constantly by this Drake. Thankfully my roosters don't bother them. Maybe you need to put your cockerel and drake in some time out for a while.. I keep hoping my 2 females will kick this Drakes butt so he'll stop but so far they just run from him.

That’s what I hope happens! She turns around and kicks their butts! I kind of figured they need a time out. I don't know what to do with them! Or why she is so irresistible haha.

 

[Miss Lydia]

With my Muscovy it's the thrill of the chase from what I have seen. if she would stand her ground like my other female does when he tries to get her to run but no she turns tail and runs and boy he loves it. The 2 Muscovy I am referring to one is broody now and boy she won't take anything off him. But once that is over same ole same ole.
If you can make a run just for them dog Xpens work great for this. May not keep your roo in though unless you cover the top.
Plastic chicken fencing [Lowes] and those heavy-duty plastic fence poles with the point on the end work great too.

 

[TheStooges]

With my Muscovy it's the thrill of the chase from what I have seen. if she would stand her ground like my other female does when he tries to get her to run but no she turns tail and runs and boy he loves it. The 2 Muscovy I am referring to one is broody now and boy she won't take anything off him. But once that is over same ole same ole.
If you can make a run just for them dog Xpens work great for this. May not keep your roo in though unless you cover the top.
Plastic chicken fencing [Lowes] and those heavy-duty plastic fence poles with the point on the end work great too.

Actually last night he started chasing the other Muscovy and you’re right, same thing! She didn’t run and stood her ground, he didn’t chase her again. I put the two muscovies in a different pen today from everyone else and they seem quite content. Later when they’re out together, if it starts up, I will put him in a little time out. Nothing contains those crazy cockerels! We will have to put them in our back up run for awhile, until they calm down. It sure is a lot of shuffling!

 

[TheStooges]

As a funny side note, my husband had wanted chickens for years so they’re all his project but I decided I wanted waterfowl. You know which of all of them we have both fallen in love with? The muscovies.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can sure understand that. I love my Muscovy!