My Mystery Duckling is Becoming a Menace

[OLDRanch]

Hi,
I just got my first flock of ducklings from Metzer Farms, I had ordered five Indian Runners, and I received the five Indian Runners all happy, healthy, and hungry along with an extra duckling who was also happy, healthy, and hungry. I am thinking the extra is a Pekin because she is a little bit bigger and a lot louder than the Runners. My issue is that I began noticing yesterday that she was pecking (if that is possible with a bill) the hind toes, back, and faces of my Runners, I noticed they all did this when they were helping each other clean themselves, but she seems to be doing it excessively. There're no wounds or blood, I am just wondering if this is normal or boredom or something else? My second question is if it is boredom anyone have any simple toy ideas? Hope this makes sense I'm not the best at putting thoughts into words I will try to get a video up of her being annoying to the Runners, but until then any ideas? Thank you in advance. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Upload your video to YouTube or similar and then post the link here. Be sure to make it shareable/ public. Sorry I can't help with the actual issue you're having but good luck. Let me tag @Miss Lydia maybe she can help or knows who can.

 

[Evadig]

My ducklings would nibble at each other and pull at their chick friend’s wings. I think it might be a boredom thing? They only seemed to do it in their brooder.

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

I have Indian Runners.
How much space are you giving them?

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

please send a video.

 

[OLDRanch]

I am trying to upload a video but it's not working, I'll keep trying but I don't know. I should be able to get photos up here soon though

 

[Evadig]

I am trying to upload a video but it's not working, I'll keep trying but I don't know. I should be able to get photos up here soon though

You have to upload it to youtube and then copy the link here.

 

[ruthhope]

You asked about toys. There are several duckling life enrichment options, depending on size. you can make tunnels from empty cardboard boxes [eg cereal boxes, for them to run through. You can make steps for them to run up from flat disks of wood or tile. Make sure the steps are stable and don;t fall over. there are various brightly colour wooden toys with bells retailed for parrots that they can peck at. When I had a rescued duckling I was rehabbing and it didn't have ducky friends, I used parrot toys, a mirror and simple things like bright red plastic milk gallon tops. The duckling loved picking up the red milk tops and dropping them on the floor for me to pick up and give back. My duckling also liked rolling a pencil across my desk. When swimming in the bath, I have two plastic lattice balls with a bell inside each. Ducklings can peck at them and push them around. One of mine liked to trample them down into the water.

All these suggestions need space in your brooder. If there isn't space for them, then that is likely why your duckling might be bored!!!

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

I am trying to upload a video but it's not working, I'll keep trying but I don't know. I should be able to get photos up

Step 1

Step 2




Step 3 upload URL from what ever you used

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

Step 1
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Step 3 upload URL from what ever you used
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I recommend YouTube or Vimeo.
You can’t upload a video from your gallery.