Male attacking new ducks

[Lilki]

How much aggression is normal when introducing young ducks to older ones? We have two 5 month old mallards and two 6 week old welsh harlequins. They've been able to see each other for quite some time. When we let them out together the male mallard is very aggressive, chasing them with his head down and plucking out feathers. We separate them within a minute of this because the new ducks are terrified and we're afraid of them getting hurt.

The mallards are also mating, so I'm sure that's not helping. Is he going to hurt them if he tries to mate?

I'm new to ducks and figured, since they are flock animals, it wouldn't be a problem to introduce new ones. Should I just let them work it out? We can't keep them separated forever but it looks like he's trying to hurt them.

 

[Amiga]

How much aggression is normal when introducing young ducks to older ones? We have two 5 month old mallards and two 6 week old welsh harlequins. They've been able to see each other for quite some time. When we let them out together the male mallard is very aggressive, chasing them with his head down and plucking out feathers. We separate them within a minute of this because the new ducks are terrified and we're afraid of them getting hurt.

It is up to the individual ducks. Older ducks can seriously harm younger ones, or worse. Sometimes we have to try a few times to introduce thm - you were right to remove them.

The mallards are also mating, so I'm sure that's not helping. Is he going to hurt them if he tries to mate? Yes, I would expect that if they are not mature, it would hurt them.

I'm new to ducks and figured, since they are flock animals, it wouldn't be a problem to introduce new ones. Should I just let them work it out? We can't keep them separated forever but it looks like he's trying to hurt them.

No, domestic ducks need some help with introductions most of the time. He is probably trying to harm them, to drive them away. Some drakes just do that. Nutballs. Slow introductions, let them see each other and not touch, then supervise time together. More than a little poking and chasing, separate again, try later. Most of the time it just takes a few tries. Keep watching till they pretty much ignore each other. We need to go with our gut to know when they can be left together unsupervised.

 

[Lilki]

Thank you so much for the answer. I discovered today that the male is trying to mate with the younger ones. He grabs their feathers and tries to mount them. I've never seen him be so aggressive, (or, really, aggressive at all) with the other mallard. She doesn't really run away though so maybe that's why.

This really bums me out. I don't want them to get hurt. They have to stay in the same pen at night and right now we have both pairs separated. (The new ones are both female.)

Do ducks stop mating when the season is over, or am I going to have to wait six months for them to mature before I can let them all out together?

 

[Amiga]

You likely will need to wait . Generally, folks have to let the little ones reach adult size especially if there is an aggressive drake. We must protect each member of the flock.

 

[Lilki]

You likely will need to wait . Generally, folks have to let the little ones reach adult size especially if there is an aggressive drake. We must protect each member of the flock.

Are you talking about adult size, or sexual maturity? They're already bigger than the mallards, though I think they still have some growing to do. At what age should they reach adult size?

Thanks again for answering. I really appreciate it.

 

[chickens really]

Drakes can be aggressive with new additions....I wait till young Ducks are not peeping and free range while I sit with them....Then you will know if your adding more Drakes to the Flock or Hens...Maturity helps in introducing Chickens or Ducks?

Cheers!

 

[Amiga]

I think by 7 months the Welsh Harlequins will be at least 90% grown. It should be easier for them to stand up for themselves - at the same time, I would not allow an aggressive drake to be around them unsupervised, I don't like to put any of the ducks at risk.

It is often a matter of seeing what the ducks do, and making adjustments. Most of the time, these things get sorted out. Introductions can be the trickiest part of flock management.

 

[Ibchduckin]

I have a cayuga drake that is very aggressive with the now 8 week old new comers, I know one of the newbies is a female for sure, she is quacking and he chases her to mate, but the other two do not Quack, they are not peeping either, more like whistling. they do not have curly tail feathers either. one of them is a cayuga, and the other is a grey duck. I have seen Jeffery( the aggressor)trying to mount them both. this has been going on for about two weeks, I have them in the same pen but seperated. If I let them out to free range they run for their lives and hide the entire day. Jeffery is always lurking around and chases them continually. I don't know how much longer this is going to go on, but I am running low on patience. I purchased all three at the feed store and was told with 80% certainty that they were all female? What the heck? any suggestions besides duck for dinner?

 

[DuckyDonna]

I, in my limited knowledge, would say that the ones that are whistling are boys. I think you need to separate them from the older duck until you determine for sure what sex they are. The young girls, at 8 weeks, don't need to be exposed to this. My babies, 2 are girls, are almost 11 weeks and I won't let my older drake near them until they are ready to breed.