- Jul 15, 2010
- 33
- 1
- 24
Hi Everyone,
Today our dominant-drake duck tripped a bit as everyone was running out of the night pen...and he ended up being sort of "run over" by the other ducks as they were exiting the pen. He has a slight limp...but, is "fine". However, our other two drake ducks IMMEDIATELY sensed his potential weakness, and the fighting has been RELENTLESS all day. Our dominant drake is extra "puffed up" and is the aggressor, ruthlessly lowering his head, chasing and bullying the other two. Normally, there is very little confrontation. A sideways glance from the head drake to the other two typically found them submitting, and stepping aside. But, not today. Today has been non-stop, full-on, aggressive fighting.
They are currently separated completely from one another.
We realize having 3 drakes is potentially a problem. (We have 3 drakes, and 4 hens) They have survived very peacefully until today. All of the ducks are approximately 6 months old...within a few weeks of each other in age. The drakes have not been overly sexing the hens. In fact, usually the boys spend so much time in a little huddle, puffing, shaking, head-jetting and "talking smack" to impress one another...that our poor girls feel denied! The girls endlessly tip their head to the side, and "chuckle" and chase the boys begging for attention. They flatten out on the water...on the ground...and typically are ignored.
We had hoped to survive the winter as we are, and then re-home one of our drakes and hens together as a pair in the spring.
Here is what we'd love to ask all of you on the forum. We want to know if once the lead drake's leg is better, things are likely to become a more peaceful pecking order again? Or, is it likely that once fighting like this starts...our "three musketards", as we lovingly call them, will continue to battle?
Anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks!!
Today our dominant-drake duck tripped a bit as everyone was running out of the night pen...and he ended up being sort of "run over" by the other ducks as they were exiting the pen. He has a slight limp...but, is "fine". However, our other two drake ducks IMMEDIATELY sensed his potential weakness, and the fighting has been RELENTLESS all day. Our dominant drake is extra "puffed up" and is the aggressor, ruthlessly lowering his head, chasing and bullying the other two. Normally, there is very little confrontation. A sideways glance from the head drake to the other two typically found them submitting, and stepping aside. But, not today. Today has been non-stop, full-on, aggressive fighting.
They are currently separated completely from one another.
We realize having 3 drakes is potentially a problem. (We have 3 drakes, and 4 hens) They have survived very peacefully until today. All of the ducks are approximately 6 months old...within a few weeks of each other in age. The drakes have not been overly sexing the hens. In fact, usually the boys spend so much time in a little huddle, puffing, shaking, head-jetting and "talking smack" to impress one another...that our poor girls feel denied! The girls endlessly tip their head to the side, and "chuckle" and chase the boys begging for attention. They flatten out on the water...on the ground...and typically are ignored.
We had hoped to survive the winter as we are, and then re-home one of our drakes and hens together as a pair in the spring.
Here is what we'd love to ask all of you on the forum. We want to know if once the lead drake's leg is better, things are likely to become a more peaceful pecking order again? Or, is it likely that once fighting like this starts...our "three musketards", as we lovingly call them, will continue to battle?
Anyone had a similar experience?
Thanks!!
Last edited: