I' ve had the priviledge of duck custodianship for about 8 yrs; first a pekin hen named Nellie (still going strong) and to keep Nellie company we got a khaki campbell hen we called Lizzie. Tragically; we lost Lizzie at the end of August and took on 3 little call ducks to keep her company. Though we thought we had gotten 3 females from the same hatch unfortunately 2 are male and all are quite different in maturity. My first question is about next spring...and aggression issues with the boys. I don't want to rehome them but have heard that there may be some way to alter them physically or chemically to curtail the "drake" behavior. Surgical intervention (caponizing) is something I've never heard of in ducks but hormonal implants - are they possible? My other question is about wheat. I've read that wheat is good for ducks and I've also read that it's not. They all have access to grit but can it cause impaction problems? If so I'll stop giving it to them:/
Hi, both! I haven't heard of chemically or physically changing drakes' behavior that way. I have heard of putting the boys in a drake pen, away from the females, to reduce aggression. Another solution would be . . . more girls! What I've read about wheat is that it can be good as part of their diet, but to take care not to give moldy wheat (or any moldy food). Before my ducks spent much time outdoors, and during winters when the snow covers the ground for months, I sprinkle some grit onto my runners' food. Some silly ducks will, I have read, eat so much grit (if offered free choice) they get stopped up and it can have fatal consequences.
Hi WackWack and Amiga! Just got back in from checking the horses in the barn (I get so dang busy don't know if I might have walked right past myself!!). I think that's what I'll probably have to do; poor old Nell is getting accustomed gradually but come spring these high energy little nutters are in all likelyhood going to be way too much action for her. At least I'll have the winter to come up with something suitable. Nell and Lizzie were quite happy on a duck/goose pellet and of course all the slugs and worms I could scrounge up; the three barn kitties, Nell, Lizzie and I would spend many hours on drizzly days turning over rocks and stuff on the farm here 'hunting' for the biggest, slimiest duck delights. We all miss Liz. Anyway, I think it was a UK site that recommended the wheat ( good source of B12?) and I give them that during the day and the pellets at night when I put them to bed in their house. Everybody's pooping alright; can you "feel" for crop impaction?
either seperate the males and females, or get more females. otherwise get rid of them. i had a male, theres no way to change their behavior. he was aggressive and nearly killed my female. he also caused my other female to be aggressive. a duck is a duck. leave it be...
