Muscovy problem

[Sololegend]

I just bought an adult flock of ducks, 2 drakes and 8 females. They currently are in a 20x10 pen so that they can associate it as home, then I will let them into the yard during the day and back into the pen at night. It is made of hardware cloth, welded wire, skirted, and pvc... it is a fort knox, but really nice.

Anyway, the two drakes are fighting. Well the bigger one is bullying the smaller one all day long. The other one is almost as big but doesnt fight back he just runs and hides alllll day long. Do I need to let them establish dominance for a few days or should I separate these drakes?

 

[autumn_g]

Unfortunately its mating season and they will fight. Under regular circumstances I'd let mine fight it out, and I did and they established who top drake was but the other two now fight so bad I've had to separate them. No drake likes to be at the bottom of the hierarchy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Any way you can split you pen in half and put one drake four females on one side same on the other. My Muscovy drake would never tolerate another Muscovy drake In His territory.

 

[Sololegend]

If I have to choose only one to keep... should i keep the one who agreesively bullies the other drake(but is nice to me). Or the bullied drake who does not fight back(who is also nice to me). Which is preferable for a flock?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Less aggressive is always best for me.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

I like less aggressive as well. Reduced caruncle and desired plumage might be factors as well. And one drake has plenty of spirit to service eight hens if you are breeding.

 

[Sololegend]

The aggressive Drake became dinner last night and the bullied one found his confidence and bred them all lol. Then he took his perch above them and began watchful vigil. The ducks seem to like him better and they seem more at ease. They've got 8eggs in a nest and will probably sit soon.

Another question.

I will breed the Muscovy for meat but I also want eggs everyday. Thinking about getting khaki Campbell's or golden 300 (I need a quiet laying duck ). Thinking about 1 male 5 hens. How do you think my grown Muscovy will get along with these smaller ducks? Any precautions to take?

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscovy’s barely notice they have Runners living with them lol and I have actually seen my Runners drop their heads and make a Muscovy female move out of the way. My Muscovy drake doesn’t try and breed the females either.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

Dang, I'm banking on my drake taking an interest in my Pekins next year so I can get some hybrids, haha!

We just mixed our duckling Pekins into the yard with the Muscovies. Both groups seem to mind themselves. The Muscovies aren't mean to the Pekins or anything like that, but they don't move for any ducklings. Or me for that matter...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Now my Runner drake is a different story he’ll run down a Muscovy female in a heart beat so I am sure you’ll get some mixes.