What to do about a mean male duck?

[CayugaDuckMom]

Hello fellow duck lovers,
I have 6 Cayuga ducks that I got in March after years of having only Indian Runners. 2 males and 4 females. Recently I have seen one of the male ducks be seriously mean to female ducks while "forcing" them to mate. I realize the forcing is normal for ducks and they normally hold their heads under water, but this duck is grabbing their heads and smashing them on the ground! I'm very worried that he will end up killing a female or causing permanent brain damage. One of them is now limping (its not broke and no blood) but I'm sure its from an attack from this male. In addition, he is very mean to the other male duck, who mates with the females, but not in such an aggressive manner.
Should I separate the mean one? Will he grow out of this behavior? Is there a way to change his behavior?
Does anyone else have any helpful advice for dealing with this situation? My husband now wants to eat him for Thanksgiving (we don't eat our animals, they are pets...but) I hate to give him to someone else if he will cause harm to other ducks as well.

 

[goats rule 101]

All I have are drakes but if your sure he's hurting them I would seperate him and it might help if you get more hens. If you could and don't want to eat or rehome him you could build a seperate run for your drakes if you don't already have one. If you do have one then for sure just seperate him. Again all I are drakes that's just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[GratitudeGates]

I am facing the same issue have called every processing place around.... I just know mine has to go...sooo.... I am trying to find a way to do this right now too. I have a few friends who hunt so...have calls into them I just know I do not need the disharmony that this drake is causing.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Humanely putting a aggressive drake out of the misery he is causing sometimes has to be done. Hopefully a friend who hunts will take care of this for you

 

[GratitudeGates]

I have tried to find the best way and for me it is taking him to my bird vet in Caldwell and having it done today at 230 just because it is not worth anyone getting hurt by him and even rehousing him he could hurt someone's dog or child

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am sorry your having to go through this.Weve had to deal with roosters that Can not be kept because of aggression I feel your pain but your flock will be so much more at peace and so will you.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I personally would cull the aggressive drake. I doubt he'll calm in drake jail, and he won't be happy at all in drake jail. He's doing what comes naturally to him, and doesn't have the ability to either understand or correct his behavior. You can ask someone to do it, or do it yourself. We cut the corner out of a feed bag, put the drake inside with the head sticking out, and cut the head off in one clean blow. Then processing the carcass wasn't nearly as hard if we skinned rather than plucked.

It doesn't sound very nice, but duck is actually quite delicious. If you eat meat from the grocery store, I would eat your duck. Meat comes from things that used to be living. The hamburger in the pretty box was once a living breathing mooing cow. The sausage on a breakfast plate was once a living breathing pig. Meat always comes from the ending of a life; I personally never-ever-ever want to forget that.

The biggest problem with the meat industry is that many of the animals aren't treated in a kind and humane manner. When you raise, kill, and process your own you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they had the absolute best life possible, and their death was quick with as little suffering as possible. Call me strange, but as a former vegetarian I wish I could raise and process all our meat. The closer I am to where our food comes from, the greater control I have in how ethically and humanely its life and death is.

 

[Cayuga momma]

I recently had this problem with my rooster. His brother started mating first and I think it made him jealous and he went after my girls with a vengeance. He went to freezer camp and my flock is now peaceful again, but it was sad because he was my favorite roo.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It is sad but I bet your flock is a lot happier and calm.

 

[Cayuga momma]

They are. Even my ducks. They now follow the chickens all around when free ranging and even bed down with them under trees.