My Drake is acting aggressively towards my duckling

[Aaron45765]

I have one drake and one female crested duckling (drake is pekin and duckling is rouen). But, my drake has been pecking at the duckling . What causes this behavior? They go out to their pen every day from 8 am to 8 pm. Any help would be appreciated.

P.S. the duckling is 6 weeks old.

 

[PetesMom]

From what I have read this is very normal drake behaviour....the boys can be such a nuisance!

 

[Birdcrazy]

I've never had a drake who is nice to my ducklings, so I always separate them as early as my duck is sitting. I'd suggest separating them until your duckling is a bit older, especially since she's the only one there...and I guess it depends on your drake but if they are together he may try mating her before she is ready (as she's growing up).
You could always try just putting mesh between the pen until they get used to each other as I've heard it may be dominance related.
Good luck

 

[Mum]

... What causes this behavior?

Nature and the pecking order. He is telling her he is the boss and she needs to learn her place. The reason it is so obvious is because you have so few and the duckling has no one to hide behind.

I agree with Birdcrazy, there is the potential that he will attempt to mate her before she is mature enough to be able to deal with it. It wouldn't necessarily be fatal, but it would be distressing.