Ok, new duck question

[veronicasmom]

So, we got the two Muscovy hens a few weeks ago. They are such bullies! They monopolize the food, the pool, the water dish. I just went out to the shed, they were laying in front of the food dish and had the other 4 ducks cowering in the corner. I try to make sure everyone gets some food, but these two are really jerks sometimes.
Will this continue? Or will they all work it out? They are very strange ducks. Yesterday they were doing something that appeared to be fighting, it didn't look like mating behavior. They were putting their heads over each other's backs and biting onto each other's wings. It looked nasty. I tried to break them up, but they ignored me. They finally stopped on their own, neither one looked upset no one appeared hurt, but then one of my Nigerian Dwarf goats innocently walked by and they went after him! Didn't do any harm, they are pretty tough and have A LOT of hair, so they probably didn't even get to their skin. But jeez, the ducks can be nasty I guess. After that they just acted normal with each other.
After they establish dominance, will everyone live in harmony? There is one drake and five hens. And even the drake is scared of them! I just am afraid the other ducks are not getting enough food or veggies. Or water. Or get to swim.
I need to whine a bit. Why when I go to a shelter and get ducks that need a good home, give them a good home, do I just end up with a bunch of aggravation????????? Between this and the mink, I am thinking of just moving away!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kevin565]

They may still be working on the pecking order. Once everyone knows whos in charge it should be better. Just beware that some can not co exist. This is what happened between my muscovy drake and runner drake.

 

[veronicasmom]

Well, with only one drake and 5 girls, I hope we fare better. It is making me really unhappy with my new birds. But then again, I am so stressed right now my patience level is pretty low. I know they usually work it out, but just was wondering for some hints.

 

[70%cocoa]

Is there any chance of housing them separately? Or providing two separate lots of feed and water?

Sorry to hear how stressful it is. It's distressing to see animals harassing each other (especially when it's newbies harassing established pets).

 

[sourland]

If you house them seperately, they will never work out their positions in the flock. Multiple food and water areas will help to assure that all ducks get to eat.

 

[veronicasmom]

No, we can't house them separately. And I really prefer not to. I was trying to figure out if they will ALWAYS be jerks about stuff, or after the pecking order has been established they will lighten up. When I added a small hen a while back, the drake was an a** to her for a while. Now, they do great. But these scovies are so bossy. I noticed over the past few days that they are also getting into scrapes with each other. So, I am hoping that they all do work it out. I am trying to make sure that all the ducks get some food, but I cannot watch them 24/7, so I wanted to know if there is really something I need to worry about or just let them be ducks and figure it out themselves.
70%cocoa you are right! It is upsetting to see my pets picking on each other. I remember when we got our Standardbred from the shelter, the Haflinger, whom I thought would be soooo sweet to her, we a real pill to her. They figured it out eventually and now, although not the best of buddies, coexist very happily together. Hoping the ducks do the same.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
X2 I had to put out extra feeders and waterers because even though I only have muscovies they tend to be bullies in the bunch. Hopefully they will all work it out soon and they will be a flock. Most of the time mine do really well together and then out of the blue one will start on another, if it's not the drakes its the hens. Which happens in the best of families.

 

[newbyduckmom]

Yep, it certainly does Miss Lydia! Gave me a chuckle!

 

[veronicasmom]

Ack! Are the duck gods messing with me? I need a break. They better get it straightened out soon, cause I am a bit too stressed for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Amiga]

Never rains but it pours.

I've been told Muscovy girls are bossy. Sure hope it all settles out. I'd try having too many feeding / watering stations for them to commandeer all of them. Might take a little wind out of their sails.