need help! my duck is hurt.

[TheDuckCrew]

I have four pekin ducks, 3 drakes, one hen. the "top duck" chubby was attacked today by the two other drakes. i was not home, but my dad informed me that they were fighting all day. when i got home, chubby was separated from the other ducks and his wing was bleeding. he ended up getting inside the pen with the other ducks so we got them all outside and caught him. i held him as the door to the house was closed and then carried him to the pen. he is in the pen with a pool, food and a bucket of water. the other 3 are in the house with food and water. i'm really worried about chubby. his wing doesn't look too bad, it only seems like a small scratch, but i don't want it to get any worse.

i'm not sure what to do. they were fighting over the girl and i was told by a duck rescuer that they will continue to fight until they have more girls. i don't think i can convince my parents to get two more but i don't want them to keep fighting. what should i do?

even if i was able to convince my parents, i don't know where i would get them.

 

[DuckLady]

Chubby will be fine. Just keep him separated until he stops bleeding.

As someone who has worked with waterfowl rescue, I will say you were told correctly. The drakes will fight over the duck. Even more important, they can gang mate her and possibly kill her or injure her badly. Is her neck bare yet?

You would be better off finding homes for 2 of the drakes and getting 2 ducks to replace htem.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

I am no expert, maybe someone with more experience can double check this idea for you. I have heard if you seperate the ducks and drakes far enough from each other they will no longer fight. Or because you only have one duck, put the nicest drake with the duck, and the other two males together but where they cannot see or hear the duck very easily. Of course you have to have the room to do that. Good Luck!

 

[TheDuckCrew]

she's been okay so far. i'm working on convincing my parents to get two more girls. we have the room and the supplies to take care of them. plenty of room in their house and their pen for two more ducks and plenty of room in the yard.

the other two drakes are now fighting. we separated the hurt one. thankfully they have been destracted by puddles so they are having fun now.

 

[xfilesnumber1fan]

The best thing to do is get more females 3 drakes to 1 isnt not going to work...With 3 drakes you should have 6 to 8 hens for them..The fighting would stop and they have enough girls so no one would get hurt..I have 2 drakes and 4 hens and planning on getting 2 more hens because they can get alittle rough at times with the girls not bad or anything and they have never had a fight they are very bonded brothers..You could always let 2 drakes go..If there is no way you can get any more females!

 

[miss_jayne]

i would also suggest re-homing the extra drakes. it's the easiest answer and the safest.

 

[TheDuckCrew]

I could never ever ever get rid of my ducks. i love them sooo much. they are like my babies. i'm so stressed about everything. i can't convince my parents to get more hens and the fighting won't stop. the two drakes that were allowed to be with the girl today hardly fought at all. they did at first, and then they were fine for the rest of the day. we had to keep the top drake in the pen. the second we let him out, he would run and attack the two other drakes. i'm so stressed and worried. i love them all so much.

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
if you truly LOVE them, you need to take charge of them. that means creating a safe environment. as they begin mating season, this could be deadly.

stress levels will go from 10 down to 1 in a flash by doing the mature and intelligent thing.

'convincing' your parents is not part of an option, because it may not happen. and to prove to them you are mature enough to handle more, take care of the issues with the ones you have.

please take this note in a positive tone, as a parent my self (of three great kids who have lots of pets) do what is safe and best and show your parents you are responsible. don't try to 'convince' them. that shows lack of maturity. let the proof be in the pudding.

 

[TheDuckCrew]

Quote:
if you truly LOVE them, you need to take charge of them. that means creating a safe environment. as they begin mating season, this could be deadly.

stress levels will go from 10 down to 1 in a flash by doing the mature and intelligent thing.

'convincing' your parents is not part of an option, because it may not happen. and to prove to them you are mature enough to handle more, take care of the issues with the ones you have.

please take this note in a positive tone, as a parent my self (of three great kids who have lots of pets) do what is safe and best and show your parents you are responsible. don't try to 'convince' them. that shows lack of maturity. let the proof be in the pudding.

i just, i just can't do that. i love them so much, i can't let them go. i'm sitting here crying even thinking about the fact. i don't want to let them go. they are everything to me. they are my whole life. i can hardly stand being away from them for a day, i couldn't imagine forever.

 

[miss_jayne]

i think that at this point emotions are becoming more important than safety.

you wouldn't be crying your eyes out right now if your ducks were safe. all birds have a peck order and unless you can add six or more ducks (and not more drakes) you may be in for a much harder situation to face.

wipe your eyes, blow your nose really good, have a piece of chocolate and take some deep breaths and think it out. (that's what i would tell my teen and tween daughters and my nine year old son.)

i hope you are able to do the best thing.