Video of Muscovy Drake Fight

[chickens really]

Sounds like you make a point to break up the fights. I never know if I should get involved or just leave them to work out their pecking order. I also have concerns of getting hurt myself. I was kinda scared just filming it.

Yes...I dive right in and separate them..Even though small Drakes the fight is brutal...Don't be scared just grab the one on top and put into a football hold.

 

[casportpony]

Sometimes I will break up the fights between my Muscovy drakes, but be very careful and don't you get hurt. These are no ordinary ducks, lol, they are huge and powerful duckzillas.

 

[Baybrio]

I'm lucky, when my drakes fight it's like a civilized wrestling match. A lot of pushing and shoving. Someone gets on top and it's over.

My other Muscovy surround the fighters to watch. I could charge admission.

Much of the squabbles don't go beyond tail feather pulling - I know this because by the end of the summer I only have one drake with a full tail.

They are powerful, I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to try and break up a real fight. I'm pretty good with a bucket of water though.

 

[Raenh]

They have great strength in their wings.

My sore nose can attest to that, fancy has accidently smacked me a few time with his wings when i try to move him and he thinks hes losing his balance.

 

[Raenh]

Ha! The video is like me and fancy, only he so far seems to know better than to push to much with me. He still likes cuddling and hiding head buried under my chin and neck when he's scared.

 

[pasuit]

I caught this epic battle between two of my Muscovy Drakes this morning. Those are some powerful birds.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=141932416492972

 

[pasuit]

Typical males.LOL

 

[3bird]

This morning our two drakes (silver Appleyards) were at each other, and we debated what to do. We generally let them go at it, as it was mostly pushing, shoving and feather grabbing, and then they would separate for a while and eat, explore and do duck stuff. I intervened a couple times when it was getting to be a bit much and held one or the other for a proverbial timeout. One of the girls in particular seems to get involved consistently on behalf of one of the males (Stella and Angus).

The flock is less than a year old, and the two boys (we also have 5 girls) have gotten along great up until now. I know, however, that we've been told this is the time to start watching for aggression. The last few days when they have come into the duckhouse for meal worm treats, the boys have pretty much ignored the treats in favor of staking out a nest.

I have the same question many have: When do you let them work it out, and when do you separate them? Are they just re-establishing the pecking order between the drakes for the season, or will this continue to escalate? I know there is no black-and-white answer, as every situation is unique, but I'd love to hear more people's experiences, as this is our first year with ducks. We don't have a simple solution for separating them, so if that is going to be necessary, I need to start planning ASAP.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Some drakes with enough females can live together fine with just one being the most dominant it rarely happens with Muscovy's they are fighters.

 

[Functional Rustic]

This morning our two drakes (silver Appleyards) were at each other, and we debated what to do. We generally let them go at it, as it was mostly pushing, shoving and feather grabbing, and then they would separate for a while and eat, explore and do duck stuff. I intervened a couple times when it was getting to be a bit much and held one or the other for a proverbial timeout. One of the girls in particular seems to get involved consistently on behalf of one of the males (Stella and Angus).

The flock is less than a year old, and the two boys (we also have 5 girls) have gotten along great up until now. I know, however, that we've been told this is the time to start watching for aggression. The last few days when they have come into the duckhouse for meal worm treats, the boys have pretty much ignored the treats in favor of staking out a nest.

I have the same question many have: When do you let them work it out, and when do you separate them? Are they just re-establishing the pecking order between the drakes for the season, or will this continue to escalate? I know there is no black-and-white answer, as every situation is unique, but I'd love to hear more people's experiences, as this is our first year with ducks. We don't have a simple solution for separating them, so if that is going to be necessary, I need to start planning ASAP.

Makes me feel so much better that I am not alone in my struggle to do right by my feather babies. My ducks are also young - under a year. So much to learn.