Male Indian Runner attacking female hens?

[EmmyDee]

I have one 3-year old male Indian runner. He used to have another male friend, who we believe he was bonded with, but he was killed by an animal or some sort. Now that our duck he alone, he has been attacking our biggest hen. He rips out the feathers on the back of her neck and one of her eyes is severely bruised.

Why is he doing this?

How can I humanely get him to stop?

 

[DuckLover179]

He is probably depressed from loosing his friend, and expressing it by taking out aggression on your hen. Unless you can get a duck that he gets a long with (male, like his old buddy), then the best option is to separate him from the female. You can stick a fence in between them, so they can see each other, and not be lonely.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Is the drake trying to mate with the hen ? If this is the case- you will need to separate him as drakes can cause damage to a hen internally. Im sure he would be happier with some new duck company though.