Musky smell & Drake problems

[gdhp]

Quote:
Can't say for certain. Only speaking from one year's experience. But ours went breeding mental for a couple of months (march to may) and have been fine since. We had to separate them from the ladies for that period, now they're back together and the idea of seperation seems crazy. It's like there's never been a problem.

I'm in the UK so seasons will be different. But more than anything I thought I'd say they get nice again and become best friends once they get out of season.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My males only tolerate each other after breeding season is over, they never have been friends.

 

[Just_Ducky_In_NH]

Well...I was trying to get rid of Charlie...he seemed to be teaching bad tricks to the other two boys...but I'm so glad I've kept them. We did run a fence, those green deer fence rolls, down the center of the yard and into the shed McGivering with bungee hooks to keep them separate at night... separated two of the boys...who then became best buds.... and left the gentlest male with the girls. The girls were getting weepy eyes...meaning under stress and breaking down health wise. The boys were separated like this all summer with being let out to run with the girls once a week. Only recently have they calmed down and do not all pile on top of one girl like before. They've worked out a pecking order almost the opposite of what it was. This is their second year. The first year we had not issues like this....but I love the boys...they are so all-for-one & one-for-all when they want to be. They chase each other, but don't hurt each other anymore. They were having some real knock down drag out beak-to-cuffs.

 

[newbyduckmom]

We have the three musketeers. At least that is what I called them until this week. They did everything as a group...it was actually kind of cute....starting this week they attack the hens as a group too. All three at once. So they are separate, but the hens are stressed. I tried putting one drake with the hens, then when had to put him back with the other two drakes, and once they were back together they picked on him terribly. Not sure what the answer is. Today the three drakes are together in a pen and stay at the fencing line staring longingly at the hen house and run. A couple of the hens are doing the same thing. Sad, but don't want one of the hens to end up dead either.