Newly adopted aggressive male Pekin

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

We have a pet 6mo female Muscovy and just VERY recently adopted a 10mo old male Pekin from the only home he’d known since he was three days old and was also the only duck, also a pet. His previous human mama said he was very attached to her but had started getting aggressive with her out what she felt was frustration because due to certain circumstances wasn’t able to spend as much time with him as she had but that he was fine with her husband and son. He’s very attached to me but gets very aggressive with the other two humans in our home, my husband and adult son who lives with us, especially when there’s bare skin exposed. He will get aggressive with me as well if he gets annoyed but I can usually calm him fairly quickly whereas with my husband and son the only recourse has been to put him in his kennel. Any ideas as to why he’s behaving this way and recommendations to correct this incredibly obnoxious behavior? We’ve tried ‘pinning’ him, and ‘pecking’ him back (with finger) but he’s hormonal and stubborn (it also happens to be spring) and isn’t getting the message that this just isn’t cool.

 

[sourland]

Sadly, it's relatively normal breeding season behavior for a human imprinted drake. He's sexually frustrated.

 

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

Sadly, it's relatively normal breeding season behavior for a human imprinted drake. He's sexually frustrated.

Well, yesterday he ‘violated’ the 6mo female (seriously, I know duck mating is not pretty but it looked like charges should be pressed) we think for the first time but twice within 15 minutes. The second time she was stunned and took a couple of minutes to snap out of. This morning he’s nailed her again (apparently he now thinks the kiddie pool is the courting bed). I know this is gentler for her and she seemed unfazed by this mornings assault (I think I’m more traumatized) but can her drown her?
We were hoping that now that he’s getting his game on he’d back off the aggression towards the humans but he was back at that again this morning too.

 

[sourland]

Twice in 15 minutes is just a blip in his desires/capabilities. Seasonal drakes may be as randy as any animal I have ever dealt with. I would monitor his 'activity' as he is fully capable of injuring the hen.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't believe he can drown her on his own, But more than one drake could.
As for his aggression keep yourselves a safe distance like using the broom or a bucket to keep him away from whoever he is targeting, My Muscovy drake who was raised by us since his mama rejected him is usually a pretty good boy but once in a while he just can't help himself and will bite me. I immediately get him down and hold him till he stops struggling. Once he gets let up he just walks off like he finally came to himself. But keeping him at a safe distance when they are like this is your best choice. I use the broom to stop them from coming at me or the bucket { I have a hormonal gander also] I can also use the broom to push one away if I have too. Come fall things do get better. lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

I will say I've never owned a Pekin drake but have read many times that they are pretty aggressive with their mating. Having only had Muscovy and Runner drakes I've never had to deal with any injuries with my females. But boy when you first witness mating with a drake and his females it can look like he is going to drown her.

 

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

Thank you for your replies. I was surprised by my own reaction of fear, thinking I was prepared for the assault but she’s so little and my ‘baby’... She actually seems to boss him around everywhere else but that darn kiddie pool as of yesterday. I’ve considered removing that pool so they just have access to the larger pool where so far he’s hesitant to go into further than the steps but figure I’m just avoiding the inevitable nature of things. I will absolutely keep them separated though if she seems distressed at any point until mating season has passed. I just hope living where it’s warm pretty much year round that it actually will.

 

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

Twice in 15 minutes is just a blip in his desires/capabilities. Seasonal drakes may be as randy as any animal I have ever dealt with. I would monitor his 'activity' as he is fully capable of injuring the hen.

I’m hoping that since I think this was his first time mating he was trying his luck and good fortune but am pretty sure that if she’d gotten back in that darn little pool right after he nailed her this morning he’d have done it again. She seemed unfazed by this morning’s assault and they ended up preening and hanging together.

 

[CoriM]

I think the proper ratio for males to females is something like at least 4 females per drake. You probably need to invest in more adult females to avoid over-mating - she could get hurt.

 

[Duck_Duck_Goose]

I think the proper ratio for males to females is something like at least 4 females per drake. You probably need to invest in more adult females to avoid over-mating - she could get hurt.

Thank you. In our present set up I’d rather not add any more ducks so separating at all times might be our option.