my mallard is a jerk?

[Angie111]

I have 2 drakes, a mallard and a khaki Campbell. They are normally the best of friends. During the day they free range. At night, i have an enclosure (a run and coop) they are put in. This is the only time I feed them their crumbles. The problem? My mallard will not let my khaki eat ( i have 2 separate food and water bowls). My mallard wont even eat- instead he forces Darwin into the coop and 'stands guard' and wont let Darwin out! I've tried putting Darwin to bed before Delaney (mallard), but they will walk along the enclosure quacking and pacing until they are reunited. I feel bad for Darwin! Ive tried putting food and water in the actual coop for Darwin, but Delaney will then hop in the coop and peck Darwin until he gets out. Bottom line, Delaney does NOT want Darwin to eat. Period. Suggestions? Or should I just let them be?

 

[silkiecuddles]

How old are they? Do they have any other animals in the pen with them?

 

[Angie111]

They are both about 16 months. No, its just those 2. Its always been just them. Like i said, i only give them their duck food at bed. I figured it was better for them to eat bugs and stuff during the day. Maybe the mallard is too hungry and hoarding the stash? The mallard is also possessive of the dog. Only HE can peck at him. If my khaki tries he will chase him aww from the dog.

 

[silkiecuddles]

The mallard is probably alpha drake and is bossing the khaki around. They'll be fine together as long as no one gets hurt and khaki is getting enough food and water. You could separate them at feeding time.

 

[Angie111]

Its difficult to separate them. They go ballistic if ones out of sight. I've tried to put khaki in before the mallard to eat. Instead of eating, they both will pace and quack at each other until I put them back together. I guess its a love hate relationship.

 

[jducour]

Tomorrow, try to leave the food bowls out all day. I have food available to my ducks 24/7, but they rarely eat it until I put them to bed. If they have the choice between looking for bugs or eating pellets, mine always choose bugs. Maybe there is a ritual that has been established, and you need to try something difference to break the habit. If they see the bowls all day, and grab a bite here and there, maybe there won't be so much anticipation and excitement about feeding time. It may take a week or two, but maybe it will help.

 

[cymbaline]

Tomorrow, try to leave the food bowls out all day. I have food available to my ducks 24/7, but they rarely eat it until I put them to bed. If they have the choice between looking for bugs or eating pellets, mine always choose bugs. Maybe there is a ritual that has been established, and you need to try something difference to break the habit. If they see the bowls all day, and grab a bite here and there, maybe there won't be so much anticipation and excitement about feeding time. It may take a week or two, but maybe it will help.

I'll second this. If mine run out of food overnight or while I'm at work, they get very possessive over the food when it's delivered (same goes for a bowl of treats), but if the food is there 24/7, they just nibble throughout the day and no one really seems to care.

 

[needlessjunk]

Tomorrow, try to leave the food bowls out all day.  I have food available to my ducks 24/7, but they rarely eat it until I put them to bed.  If they have the choice between looking for bugs or eating pellets, mine always choose bugs.  Maybe there is a ritual that has been established, and you need to try something difference to break the habit.  If they see the bowls all day, and grab a bite here and there, maybe there won't be so much anticipation and excitement about feeding time.  It may take a week or two, but maybe it will help. 

I also agree to leave the food out during the day and not just at night.

 

[Angie111]

Thanks! I am going to try that tomorrow!

 

[Darkwing4]

Yeah, my two drakes act in a similar way. Ones the leader the other's his wing man.

Perhaps, instead of bowls you scatter their food a bit so they have to forage for it. I do this with chopped tomatoes and lettuce. Also pellets and meal worms. The trick is to direct the leader one way while tossing some to the wing man.

One time Scottie, the wing man, wouldn't even go for some lettuce. He was conditioned to not bother. It made me sad. But they free range and in the morning they're all in on their food dish. Oh! That might help ... I use the base part of one of those gallon feeders that's a fairly wide ring. This way there's enough room for them all to get their personal space.

One of these (just the red part)
Good luck.

On the plus side, the leader usually gives the others a sense of security. There are times my small flock of four are grazing and there's Henry, keeping watch. The others are oblivious to the outside world. Makes me think he's not such a jerk even when he is.