Muscovy fighting getting worse - at my wit's end!

[StinkyAcres]

Maybe you could find one or two of them a new home? I know it's a hard decision when you consider them to be pets. When I had the extra drakes, I kept trying to make it work. Then, I realized it was just too much extra work on my part to try to keep them all happy. I also didn't really have the room especially when they needed to be locked in the run due to predators. So, I rehomed them. The stress and work level went way down. You should also consider your goals for the Muscovy. If pets, you want them to have the best life that you can offer them. You could just wait and see. When my drake was here, he always settled down around this time of the year. Then, as each year went by, he seemed to be less hormonal. He was infatuated with me which led him to bite me and jump on me - I always looked forward to fall. I still miss his antics.

A few things have been keeping me from rehoming them - 1) it will stress them out, 2) they could torment someone else's flock, and 3) my flock is infected with MG. I could butcher them, but that is hard because they are pets. This is why I've been trying to make it work for two years now. I guess for now I will just keep doing what I've been doing. They are very entertaining.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

A few things have been keeping me from rehoming them - 1) it will stress them out, 2) they could torment someone else's flock, and 3) my flock is infected with MG. I could butcher them, but that is hard because they are pets. This is why I've been trying to make it work for two years now. I guess for now I will just keep doing what I've been doing. They are very entertaining.

I totally understand. I once thought about butchering my excess drakes. I watched YouTube and thought I had enough courage (even saw some lady do it in front of her kids ). Well, that idea vanished once I watched their antics. I'm too soft for farm life.

 

[Miss Lydia]

@StinkyAcres how are things going with your girls?

 

[StinkyAcres]

@StinkyAcres how are things going with your girls?

Thanks for checking in!

They seem to have calmed down a little which is to be expected for the winter. I have given Willoughby the choice to sleep with the chickens or the other ducks and last night she was with the other ducks. They've also been happier since the weather's been mild and they've been able to bathe.

Even still, I am looking for a new home for Willoughby in the hopes there will be fewer issues.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Glad to hear things have calmed down some.
I hope you can find a good home for Willoughby.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Willoughby is back to sleeping in her crate by herself (she is free to sleep in her crate or with the other ducks). Winona is still not being nice to the others. She is hogging the heater at night and the other ducks are too scared to go near her.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You have no way to keep them separated? I use portable dog pens to separate when needed.
I'm sorry these girls are not behaving.

 

[StinkyAcres]

You have no way to keep them separated? I use portable dog pens to separate when needed.
I'm sorry these girls are not behaving.

Not permanently. I can separate them at night, but I can't keep them permanently separated because I don't have enough outlets to give each one a heated bucket. Even if I did they would be quite unhappy in a small space without their own door to the outside.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I am working on converting my old chicken coop back into a nicer coop, so I will have more space soon. Still, it is so inconvenient keeping ducks separated and it's expensive buying so many heaters and heated waterers.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I use 3 heated water buckets. Last year even in the coldest months my flock didn't use the heaters so I haven't even put them up this year. As long as they are out of cold air flowing over them they shouldn't need heat. I have had a few of my Muscovy get frostbite on their faces but it healed without any problems. I don't keep bathing water out for my flock after it gets below freezing. If you need extra heated buckets try craigslist you never know who might have a few for sale. Heaters too.