lone duck getting beaten up by pair

[kirag]

Hi. I have a female k. campbell about 2 years old, Harriet. She is the last reminder of a small flock. She's been housing in a large fenced yard with coops, a duck shelter (dog house), a couple dozen chickens, 1 roo, and 2 newer ducks (a black swede male and a rouen female). I rescued those 2 last spring as ducklings from someone who got them on impulse but couldn't keep them. When Harriet had a couple others of her original flock around all was ok. The k. campbells kept to themselves and the newer pair kept to themselves. Now that it's just Harriet left from the older flock, the younger pair will not accept her yet she follows them around. It's been about 3 weeks and they both beat her up when she gets too close, the rouen female pulls Harriet's feathers out and has broken several flight blood feathers. The male mates with her occassionally, but chases her away afterwards and pulls her feathers if she gets too close to him again. Harriet is not allowed to swim with them (she won't swim alone) or shelter with them (when I set up a new shelter, the other ducks claim it and keep her away). Harriet is sleeping alone, with damaged feathers, has stopped laying since her friend disappeared and it's getting very cold outside. I brought her inside today because I'm worried they'll kill her, but hesitate to pull her broken blood feathers (about 6 one one wing) because they are big primary flight feathers, will be very painful to pull and are not currently bleeding (have clotted). No duck vet nearby. Should I pull them anyway or let them be? Also, what can I do with her? Should I find someone with a bigger duck flock in hopes that she'll blend in or will be be a worse situation? Since it's sleeting and cold, right now so after I checked her over and assessed the damage, I have her inside the house in a quiet room, in a dog crate, covered with a blanket with food and water. Not really wanting to keep her inside all winter, but I feel like I might need to get duck diapers and do just that. Suggestions?

 

[Miss Lydia]

When My old drake died[Muscovy] His only female left was 8 yrs old and had never been with the younger Muscovy's so when I took the fence down so she could be with them they would chase her off and the drake would really make her get out of the way from him and his girls. It took at least 4-6 months before they actually accepted her. They never attacked her though she pretty much held her ground that way. She is still wary of the drake but has settled in real well with the females. I'd suggest somehow separating them so they can still see her but they can't pick on her and let her sleep with them but in the dog crate so again she isn't picked on. Hopefully they will accept her eventually you could try putting the 2 females together once in a while too with supervision and see how that goes. Bringing in the 2 together makes them feel empowered to pick on her since she is just 1. Ducks are bullies.

Welcome to BYC.
I haven't had to deal with broken blood feather so not sure what would be best there. If clotted may just wait.

I'll see if I can get you some help.@casportpony please.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

It doesn't appear that the tag worked miss Lydia. Let's try again.
@casportpony

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you!

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Poor harriet! I wish flock behavior wasn't so brutal.
All I can suggest is ×2 on what miss Lydia said.
Or possibly find a way to fence her by herself where she can see the others and not touch until they decide to accept her.

 

[Ravynscroft]

X3 what Miss Lydia said...

As for the broken feathers, I think I would pull them... otherwise, even though they have stopped bleeding she will be without their full protection being damaged... plucking them out will force molt and new ones should come in...

 

[chickens really]

Hello....Separate the two Hen from the Drake till they become friends...Put up a barrier so the Drake can hear the hens but not see them...Of course he will raise a Ruckus although the Hens will become friends...It will take a week or two...Then let him out as they free range...Keep separated till things are settled...