Muscovy duck

[Noelani]

I have three ducklings about 3 months old and I am pretty sure they are drakes. They are huge - larger than the mommies and a little smaller than the daddy. Is this normal for 3 months old to be that big? All three have thick legs but they are all still peeping like babies, their tail feathers give me no help, they are not quite rounded nor are they really pointed. I sometimes think I hear some huffing sounds, but I can't really tell.

All three were hatched by a chicken, the ducks were not broody, but I had a very broody chicken. She raised them for only about a month, their growth was so fast she wanted out of the little pen pretty quick. So now I have them near the drake and ducks, but the drake keeps trying to attack them. Is this what happens? I know chickens have a pecking order, I try to let them all roam the yard together, but the ducklings are afraid of the drake. Any suggestions how to get them integrated into one flock?

 

[Claires Poultry]

I have three ducklings about 3 months old and I am pretty sure they are drakes. They are huge - larger than the mommies and a little smaller than the daddy. Is this normal for 3 months old to be that big? All three have thick legs but they are all still peeping like babies, their tail feathers give me no help, they are not quite rounded nor are they really pointed. I sometimes think I hear some huffing sounds, but I can't really tell.

All three were hatched by a chicken, the ducks were not broody, but I had a very broody chicken. She raised them for only about a month, their growth was so fast she wanted out of the little pen pretty quick. So now I have them near the drake and ducks, but the drake keeps trying to attack them. Is this what happens? I know chickens have a pecking order, I try to let them all roam the yard together, but the ducklings are afraid of the drake. Any suggestions how to get them integrated into one flock?

If they are larger than their mamas then they must be drakes. It is normal for 3 month olds to be that big. Ducks grow VERY fast! It is also normal for them to still be peeping like ducklings. It takes them quite awhile to start sounding like an adult duck.

That is too bad the drake keeps trying to attack them! Is the drake being very mean to the ducklings (like trying to kill them) or is he just biting them whenever they get to close to him? They do have to establish a pecking order, but there is a difference between a pecking order and excessive aggression towards the ducklings.

My Muscovy drakes in particular, have no problem being around the ducklings, even when the ducklings are only a day old they have never hurt them. But I do hear stories of the drakes killing the ducklings from time to time. I always say that everyone's Muscovies are different, some drakes are aggressive and some aren't.

If the drake is too aggressive towards the ducklings, you can try putting the ducklings in a separate pen from the drake, but still have it to where they can see each other. Maybe over time they will get used to each other, then you can try putting them together in the same pen again.

I pray that your drake stops being rotten and they can all be together without problems!

Happy Muscovy-ing!

 

[Noelani]

thank you for replying. I think the Drake is just trying to prove that he is the boss. He tries to corner one at a time and pulls a few feathers out. But the boys are getting bigger and might just turn on him one day. They are getting their caruncles already also. Do you know when they start flying? They like to stand up tall and fan their wings.

I have been letting them all out into the yard together and pen them up in separate pens at night. This seems to be working, although they tend to stay in two groups, the hens follow the drake and the babies stay together. They are interesting fowls to have - so different from the chickens I have. I am still learning so much about chickens also.

Again, Thank you for replying, it helped to feel better and know my drake is not out to kill the babies (3 month old babies).

 

[Claires Poultry]

thank you for replying. I think the Drake is just trying to prove that he is the boss. He tries to corner one at a time and pulls a few feathers out. But the boys are getting bigger and might just turn on him one day. They are getting their caruncles already also. Do you know when they start flying? They like to stand up tall and fan their wings.

I have been letting them all out into the yard together and pen them up in separate pens at night. This seems to be working, although they tend to stay in two groups, the hens follow the drake and the babies stay together. They are interesting fowls to have - so different from the chickens I have. I am still learning so much about chickens also.

Again, Thank you for replying, it helped to feel better and know my drake is not out to kill the babies (3 month old babies).

I'm glad I could help you out a little!

My Muscovies usually start flying as soon as they have all their wing feathers grown in.

I'm glad to hear that your ducks are getting along a little better now and your drake isn't trying to kill the babies. I pray they behave themselves for you!

Happy Muscovy-ing!