My Rouen is plucking at my two Pekin's, is this normal and will it stop?

[Younger]

My three ducklings have been raised together. They are 4 weeks old. Two Penkins and 1 Rouen. Today it looks like my smallest Pekin has some fuzz missing from her chest area. No bleeding but a bare spot. She is just starting to get feathers so hard to tell. When I put them in there play area I watched the Rouen several times grab at the down of both birds. They would either walk away or give a little squeak. Will this settle or does it mean I have to separate them? The two Pekin get along great and later all three were cuddled together.
Anyone have suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Miss Lydia]

My three ducklings have been raised together. They are 4 weeks old. Two Penkins and 1 Rouen. Today it looks like my smallest Pekin has some fuzz missing from her chest area. No bleeding but a bare spot. She is just starting to get feathers so hard to tell. When I put them in there play area I watched the Rouen several times grab at the down of both birds. They would either walk away or give a little squeak. Will this settle or does it mean I have to separate them? The two Pekin get along great and later all three were cuddled together.
Anyone have suggestions?
Thanks

Sometimes this starts when the new feathers are coming in, the blood feathers, could mean they need more protein, maybe buy some dried meal worms and start giving them as a treat to see if it helps, and you can also get a product called Blue Kote that you can spray or apply to the areas that are being nipped it will cover the area in purple and helps to break a habit that maybe starting. just be sure to wear old clothes and laytex gloves when using because what ever it touches turns purple most all feed stores carry it. make sure they are not crowed too .

 

[Younger]

Thanks Miss Lydia

I did put some Blue Kote on the one Pekin's chest area. There was a small amount of dried blood there. I spent most of the day today observing and to my very naive ear it sounds like the Pekin that was getting the fluff pulled out and the Rouen doing the pecking are both males. They have very rasping sounds and more like mumble. The one Pekin definitely makes a honking sound (the Rouen doesn't bother her). The pulling is happening very often. Any time they settle the Rouen walks over and starts tugging at chest down or tail feathers. Could it be because they are both male? (I think)
Thanks

 

[Younger]

Just to update. I went out to check and the Rouen was chasing the two Pekins around the pen 4X4. He had a mouthful of feathers. I offered hard boiled egg and yogurt but he seemed more interested in pulling at them. I had to take him out and put him in a large dog cage that we had with bedding, food and water. The two Pekins were exhausted and couldn't sit without getting tormented.

The female (the one I think is female) is honking like crazy and the Rouen is chirping back and forth. The other Pekin, the one with most of his down pulled out, is quiet and resting.

Couldn't watch it anymore, certainly couldn't leave them for the night like that.
Any more suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Miss Lydia]

Just to update. I went out to check and the Rouen was chasing the two Pekins around the pen 4X4. He had a mouthful of feathers. I offered hard boiled egg and yogurt but he seemed more interested in pulling at them. I had to take him out and put him in a large dog cage that we had with bedding, food and water. The two Pekins were exhausted and couldn't sit without getting tormented.

The female (the one I think is female) is honking like crazy and the Rouen is chirping back and forth. The other Pekin, the one with most of his down pulled out, is quiet and resting.

Couldn't watch it anymore, certainly couldn't leave them for the night like that.
Any more suggestions?
Thanks

4weeks seems awful young to be doing this, But I don't have either breed so really don't know. My Muscovy drakes don't start this till closer to breeding age usually around 6 months. Hopefully someone that has these specific breeds will be able to tell you what is going on, But I do think you did the right thing by separating since having to deal with the stress of being chased isn't going to help them. Wish I could say more but just don't know, it just seems awful young.

 

[Younger]

three days ago everyone was great. Yesterday it started but today was much worse. Neither Pekin could settle on the grass outside without the Rouen coming up and grabbing mouthfuls of fluff. At first they just walked away but later they were really chirping and jumping. I will see what tomorrow brings after a night apart.
Hate to separate him as I know he is scared but the other has big patches off of his chest. The Blu-Kote seemed to draw attention to the area.

 

[Younger]

So, just as an update to finish this thread. The next morning I tried everyone together again. They seemed happy enough to see everybody and then the Rouen started snatching fluff from both the Pekins. They were separated and thankfully I was able to find a great home for the Rouen. He was very settled when I left in a great home. The two Pekins are managing great. They cuddle at night and when they lay on the grass they sit with their beaks touching. They are quite inseparable. My friend has 45 muscovy eggs hatching in two weeks. Maybe I will get a pair from her if I can tell the sex first.