Mean duck

[CayugaJana]

One thing I did when I didn’t have a choice but to introduce my ducks to the Drake was cut back the drakes wings pretty short. Then the ladies are always faster than the drake because he can’t fly well. They would fly away from him if they weren’t ready to mate. But they had plenty of space to stay separated from him.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Good idea. As long as they aren't penned up where they can't get away.

 

[chickens really]

I am so glad you said we aren't ducks I didn't know that. I just think watching to make sure this drake doesn't over mate these young females is very important. I do realize duck sex is rough I wasn't raised under a turnip leaf. We all know drakes can be brutal and these young females need to be more protected until they are fully mature which to me when they begin to lay. Now others may feel differently but hey that is okay too. Not one person is always right by no means.

Never said I'm always right. I do also know what I'm doing and what works. I definitely don't put my Birds in harms way either. Although once the Drake calms after his first real time out with them he won't constantly be after the Hens..

 

[chickens really]

One thing I did when I didn’t have a choice but to introduce my ducks to the Drake was cut back the drakes wings pretty short. Then the ladies are always faster than the drake because he can’t fly well. They would fly away from him if they weren’t ready to mate. But they had plenty of space to stay separated from him.

I can't clip my Calls wings because they need to fly from predators here..

 

[chickens really]

And I wasn't insinuating that you think your always right, and sorry if I came across that way. But what works for one doesn't always work for another so we watch and make sure things are going well for our birds.

I think most of us that have had poultry for a while know pretty much what we're doing too. We share what we know then the OP looks at all options and tries the one they think might work for them. if that doesn't work out they start again until it does.

Anyways

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

My girls can out run and out fly my fat drake.
He tries to mate, but nobody is laying eggs. I just figure that is what drakes do.
I am of the mindset unless there is blood and no one looks the worse for wear, no need to separate.
Except, I do separate the chickens and ducks. Talk about mean. I've never seen mean until a muscovy goes after the chickens.

 

[chickens really]

My girls can out run and out fly my fat drake.
He tries to mate, but nobody is laying eggs. I just figure that is what drakes do.
I am of the mindset unless there is blood and no one looks the worse for wear, no need to separate.
Except, I do separate the chickens and ducks. Talk about mean. I've never seen mean until a muscovy goes after the chickens.

Hens are sexually active before they lay eggs..

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have an almost 2yr mallard duck I have been having to keep him separate from the rest of the flock for 6 months ( added newest addition's, female ducklings to )because he keeps attacking & trying to hurt the other chickens & ducks. some same age some younger than him. Any ideas or suggestion's to have him get along with others? He's never attacked before, but now is. We brought home the newest duckling's to give him company but only want's to hang out with the other drake he's been with for two yrs. It's not fair for him to be by himself most of the time & or with the other drake he's buds with & would like them all to be together. Any help, suggestion's or ideas would be great. Thanks.

If you have separated for 6 months he probably has a lot of pent up hormones. Can he not be with the adult females? At 4 months, the ducklings don't need to be with their mommas. In fact at 4 months some ducks (mallards) are considered adult.

 

[solarpup]

I've got a mean mallard drake, too. And nope, he never does learn to get along with those he picks on. With our two girls, he will mate with one (as gentle as a drake ever mates), with the other, he will mount her, but it is only for dominance. He'll tear at her neck and back, and never actually really mate. If left together for enough time, he will strip her neck bare of feathers, and bloody her up.

He can go through periods of not being too aggressive, so we feel comfortable leaving them together if they're wandering the yard. Or in the cage together, if it's only going to be half a day, but not more. But no way, no how, can we leave him with the one he hates, for more than a day at a time. And he has never grown out of it.

Outside of the mating season, say November through January, we can extend the time he's together with her. But we usually won't leave them together. (We put the two girls together on one side of the cage, and him behind a door on the other side, and we have a screen in the middle of their shared coop.)

With the other girl, however, no problem. We can leave them together all the time, and he never gets too aggressive. It's the usual duck thing that it looks rougher than you'd expect, but he won't pick her neck bare and bloody like he will with the other.

So, I vote with watch him. It could be something he never gets over.

 

[CayugaJana]

I've got a mean mallard drake, too. And nope, he never does learn to get along with those he picks on. With our two girls, he will mate with one (as gentle as a drake ever mates), with the other, he will mount her, but it is only for dominance. He'll tear at her neck and back, and never actually really mate. If left together for enough time, he will strip her neck bare of feathers, and bloody her up.

He can go through periods of not being too aggressive, so we feel comfortable leaving them together if they're wandering the yard. Or in the cage together, if it's only going to be half a day, but not more. But no way, no how, can we leave him with the one he hates, for more than a day at a time. And he has never grown out of it.

Outside of the mating season, say November through January, we can extend the time he's together with her. But we usually won't leave them together. (We put the two girls together on one side of the cage, and him behind a door on the other side, and we have a screen in the middle of their shared coop.)

With the other girl, however, no problem. We can leave them together all the time, and he never gets too aggressive. It's the usual duck thing that it looks rougher than you'd expect, but he won't pick her neck bare and bloody like he will with the other.

So, I vote with watch him. It could be something he never gets over.

I have a drake who has favorites. And he chases off the others. He’s pretty vain. The ducks that look the prettiest are his favorites.

The non favorites have space to roam without getting in his way. But honestly it makes me mad. And I know it’s animal behavior. I wish I could put a shock collar on him and zap him when he goes after them.