Problem Drake

Goose_Willis

Chirping
Jun 12, 2023
34
73
89
In my flock of 9 adults and 1 duckling I have 2 drakes; one is perfect and one is rude and destined for dinner.

The problem Drake is rough with my girls, he's a feather puller, he bullies the girls during feeding time, and now he bullies the 7 week old duckling and it's mom excessively. He also attacks my dogs and cats and he goes for my boots during feeding time.

Normally they all sleep in a 240ft² covered run that has a 30ft² coop and another 60ft² open air tarped nesting area. From 7 am to 7 pm they free range in a 10,000ft² fenced area with tons of shade, tall grass, and multiple water sources. During the day the drake is ornery but the other ducks have room to run away from him so he can't catch them as easily. He's got to go for the health of my flock but I'm wondering about the best course of action to take until it's time to process him.

I have a 50ft² dog kennel that I am setting up for him, I'm wondering:
-can he sleep in there alone? My other drake is an angel with the girls and the duckling but he fights with the problem Drake so I'm worried about putting them in a small pen together at night.
-do I need to move the kennel next to the run? It's currently set up in a shady spot about 50 feet from the run and in direct eyesight of it. I was hoping to keep it where it is because it's set up in the shade.
-will the kennel be enough space for him? I'm concerned about having to catch him in the evening if I let him out with the other ducks during the day.
 
How long before you can butcher him? He would be fine in the kennel alone for a few days if you are planning on butchering this weekend, but I wouldn’t keep him in a kennel long term. Since he is going after that duckling I would have kenneled him yesterday. Even if the duckling can get away from him when free ranging I wouldn’t let him have access to the duckling. If he tries to mate it even once he could permanently damage the ducklings vent and reproductive organs.
 
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I'm planning on processing him during the next monsoon storm which should hopefully hit us next week.

The problem with the duckling only started the day before yesterday. He didn't have any interest in it before then.
 

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