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anniepring

anniepring

Hatching
Aug 19, 2015
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I am a proud owner of seven Peking ducks (two 1-1/2 year and five that are 6 months), and eighteen Australorp chickens (one 6 month and 17 that are 7 weeks). The question I have is about my ducks. The five young ones have been together since week one. When they were about four weeks old, one of the females started limping and acting funny. We isolated her briefly, but other than that, she seemed healthy and gradually integrated her back with her siblings. Just recently, they have started 'picking' on her and she has lost most of the feathers on the back of her neck to the point that it has broken the skin. Does anyone have any insight?
 
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Are they picking on her or are the drakes overbreeding her? How many drakes do you have?
 
Three drakes, do you think it's because she's a little slower due to her handicap, or is this common that they will dominate one? Should we separate them? I am new to this! Thank you for your reply!
 
She is a target because of her lack of mobility. One drake would be more than enough for your small flock. It is very possible that 3 drakes gang breeding her could worsen her injury. If they were mine, I would rehome two of the drakes or at least separate them from the flock.
 
As you may have discovered young drakes are testosterone driven sex fiends. It is not uncommon that multiple drakes breeding a hen in a pool inadvertently drown her.
 
poor GIRL, she must be the drakes' favorite because she can't get away from them. Rehoming some of the drakes will help but, I am thinking any one left will continue to overbreed and harass her.
 
Welcome to BYC!

I've never raised ducks but it sounds like you've received some good advice so I'll just say hi
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Thanks for joining us and good luck with your birds!
 

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