New Females & Excessive Rape

[3bird]

Any time you adjust the flock, you're going to see new behaviours. Introducing a bird or birds is most successful in our experience if you take some time where they can see eachother but not pick on eachother. We've even found this to be true when re-introducing a bird that was previously part of the flock--they need to go about establishing a pecking order all over again. Even when there is no obvious change that you have caused, they may suddenly change it up. I just watched this morning as our drake, Angus, went through a courting ritual initiated by Martha, a duck he has been terrorizing since April (which is why we keep them separate unless we are supervising). Was it because Martha just came off her nest after a month? Maybe. Is it because Stella is molting? Maybe. Is it because Mouse (Angus' #1 girl) is broody and wants to sit? Maybe. Is it all of the above? Definitely!

If there is a drake in the mix, you really need to have a good way to isolate birds so that they can still all be together.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Portlandistan]

Any time you adjust the flock, you're going to see new behaviours. Introducing a bird or birds is most successful in our experience if you take some time where they can see eachother but not pick on eachother. We've even found this to be true when re-introducing a bird that was previously part of the flock--they need to go about establishing a pecking order all over again. Even when there is no obvious change that you have caused, they may suddenly change it up. I just watched this morning as our drake, Angus, went through a courting ritual initiated by Martha, a duck he has been terrorizing since April (which is why we keep them separate unless we are supervising). Was it because Martha just came off her nest after a month? Maybe. Is it because Stella is molting? Maybe. Is it because Mouse (Angus' #1 girl) is broody and wants to sit? Maybe. Is it all of the above? Definitely!

If there is a drake in the mix, you really need to have a good way to isolate birds so that they can still all be together.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Thanks, that helps. Yeah, it's a bummer because I created a fully automatic system in their fenced compound. The water trough self cleans itself several times a day, there are sprayers that clean off their favorite places to stand, and their "pool" (an IBC tote) automatically drains into the garden with an electric valve and refills, also with sprayers inside to give it a scrub and direct all the muck down the drain. With a tower feeder full of food, I can go away for days and not worry. An isolation pen ruins that whole system....