Muscovies picking on Pekin

[Nightmare Ducks]

I have four muscovies and one Pekin - all female, hatched 4/1. They currently live in the house in their brooder, but I was going to start having them outside all day beginning tomorrow, as the weather will finally cooperate.

They had all gotten along great, and then yesterday I noticed a particular couple of my Muscovies starting to pick at the Pekin. Today I had just put them back in the brooder after a swim, and she was again trying to get away from the ducks picking at her (I have a camera on the brooder.) I ran down to save her, and she’s now in my bathtub, which she is definitely not appreciative of as she has not stopped quacking.

I don’t really know what to do here. I don’t feel like it’s safe to put her back with the others, will being outside help? Maybe they’re tired of being in the brooder? She’s my absolute favorite duck.

 

[Nightmare Ducks]

Well, I am going to amend that somewhat. I found one particular duck damaging my two white muscovies… now she is the one in the bathtub, and the other ones are peacefully coexisting in the brooder.

 

[KathiQuacks]

I’m guessing it was just 1 duck to start it, and then the others joined in (ducks love picking at the color red). Definitely possible they felt cramped or bored inside the brooder. The extra space outside should help going forward.

You’ll want to clean up the wing(s) and mask the red to reduce any further picking. I think I’ve seen anti-pick sprays or blu-kote recommended.