Male Duck Killed Another Male Duck

[MargysMan]

We have 2 male ducks who are about 2 years old with no female ducks. They were born at the same time and have stayed together constantly—flying in formation together, etc. Then put of the blue, one attacked the other and killed it. Could it be a mercy kill that the killed duck had been bitten by a snake or snapping turtle or was sick?

 

[cheezenkwackers]

We have 2 male ducks who are about 2 years old with no female ducks. They were born at the same time and have stayed together constantly—flying in formation together, etc. Then put of the blue, one attacked the other and killed it. Could it be a mercy kill that the killed duck had been bitten by a snake or snapping turtle or was sick?

How do you know one killed the other?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

We have 2 male ducks who are about 2 years old with no female ducks. They were born at the same time and have stayed together constantly—flying in formation together, etc. Then put of the blue, one attacked the other and killed it. Could it be a mercy kill that the killed duck had been bitten by a snake or snapping turtle or was sick?

Did you see the your drake kill the other?

 

[Miss Lydia]

It happens. Hormones get the best of them. We had some Muscovy drakes that someone across the river from us let loose and one of those drakes killed another there was 3 total. We saw the drake attacking the other drake but the banks of the river were too steep to get to them.
Very sorry for your loss. Sounds like they may have been Muscovy since you say they flew in formation.

 

[MargysMan]

They were rouens but flew further than they were supposed to—we’re in a small subdivision but they would fly over over 5 houses. I wonder how well the one duck will do on his own.

 

[MargysMan]

Did you see the your drake kill the other?

I didn’t. We had just left town. A neighbor saw it happen. I guess it’s possible the other duck was already dead?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Not all that well they are flock animals and do much better in a flock. Maybe you can get some females for your drake. He'll need at least 4 to keep them from being overbred. Or finding him a home with other ducks?

 

[Sierra G]

I didn’t. We had just left town. A neighbor saw it happen. I guess it’s possible the other duck was already dead?

It's possible your neighbor's kid killed it and he's blaming your duck. But without witnessing it we can't be sure. You should probably get more ducks if you're going to keep the one you still have.