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

[StinkyAcres]

Well, I am trying something else. I have set up two dog crates, each with their own heater. I'll try to separate them at night into pairs that are least likely to fight. Now all the power outlets have been taken up.

I have always heard Muscovies don't need heat, but mine shiver nonstop below 30 degrees. It can't just be my Muscovies, can it?? And since Jeanette was bullied she is underweight and her feathers don't look right so I'm sure she needs the heat more than the others.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have never seen mine shiver. We are going down into teens next week and because my Muscovy girls are 13 and 14 yrs old I did get the sweeter heater set up for them. We have had temps in the mid 20's already and they don't seem to mind cold but they will go inside an lay in the thick bedding in their coop.

If you see yours shivering by all means offer heat. Just don't make them too warm.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I have never seen mine shiver. We are going down into teens next week and because my Muscovy girls are 13 and 14 yrs old I did get the sweeter heater set up for them. We have had temps in the mid 20's already and they don't seem to mind cold but they will go inside an lay in the thick bedding in their coop.

If you see yours shivering by all means offer heat. Just don't make them too warm.

Thanks! Yes, I'm trying to resist the urge to bring them inside the house and just keep them in the coop with a radiant heater.
I have to watch closely, but mine are definitely shivering...pretty much all winter. Even inside the coop with no drafts. I am so confused.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know they are pretty hardy birds. It can be frigid outside and mine [when they were younger and more of them would just hunker down in the snow and sleep] We have to do what we can to make them comfortable though and not suffer. Are your heaters specifically for poultry?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Are your heaters specifically for poultry?

Yes, one is a Sweeter Heater. The other is a seedling heat mat.

 

[Miss Lydia]

How did it go with the new setup?

 

[StinkyAcres]

How did it go with the new setup?

Well, I went into the coop this evening to find Jeanette with a bloody face again. So I guess not so good...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, I went into the coop this evening to find Jeanette with a bloody face again. So I guess not so good...

Oh no I'm sorry to hear this. Did you put her with the wrong buddy? Or do all pick on her.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Oh no I'm sorry to hear this. Did you put her with the wrong buddy? Or do all pick on her.

No, she was picked on during the day after we let them all out together. Separating them only at night clearly isn't enough. I am close to sending at least one of them to freezer camp.

 

[Miss Lydia]

No, she was picked on during the day after we let them all out together. Separating them only at night clearly isn't enough. I am close to sending at least one of them to freezer camp.

I hate this is going on with your girls. Do you know which girl or girls is doing this?

I am watching mine to make sure it doesn't get out of hand My youngest age 13 has always had a nasty attitude about her Aunt Joy age 14 so far she hasn't hurt her she has in the past. So today I got the ladder back out and put it in the other coop in case I have to remove her [the bully.]

I at least can remove her from my other 2 Muscovy since My Muscovy are inside dog pen fencing to keep my Runner drake off of them. She doesn't like being separated but I don't tolerate having her pick on Joy.

I don't understand why they behave like this. I thought hormones but this time of year they should be mellowed out.