When does testosterone level drop in Pekin drakes?

[lovemeduckins]

Hi all,

This isn't urgent, but I am curious. I have two Pekin drakes hatched the first of March. They are now in a 10x10 enclosure, that we are about to expand, so hopefully this will help. The problem is territorial issues, namely their pool. I have watched their behavior carefully for the past month and this is the deal... in the pool, esp. if it is clean, one duck gets HIGHLY aggressive and dunks the other one until he kicks him out. Literally. He gets him up on the steps and then pushes him out. I know some may say that this is mating behavior, but I have watched and observed when that is the case (on the back and neck biting), and this is different.

Most of the day, the aggressive drake stays in the pool, and the other runs around it... he only gets in when "allowed," or when I go and put him in and stand there. Oh, and they literally face off and butt heads.

So my questions are these: will expanding the pool into a pond help? Will expanding the enclosure help? Does the testosterone level drop in Fall and Winter? Is this just, no pun intended, pecking order that will work itself out?

These guys are so loving and wonderful any other time. They are lap-ducks and dear pets. And no, we can't get any more ducks. They are let out 2-3 times a day to graze and run around for long periods and they never leave each others sides. The aggressive one is the smaller one... go figure.

Advice????

Thanks, LMD

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I have read that Pekin males can be dominant/aggressive and that was certainly true for the one I had for a moth or so this spring. He would not let my Swedish drake near the food or water, not to mention the girls. I had to separate them. Then I sold him and his two girls.

Unfortunately I don't have any good advice; I'm not sure if this dominant behavior will lesson with time/season change.

Hope it does work out!

 

[Dances with Ducks]

A duck breeder told me if you can keep them in a shed or somewhere where they don't get much sunlight their gonads will literally shrink and their behavior will improve. I think it took about a week if I remember correctly. After butchering some obnoxious drakes and comparing them to others she could visibly see the changes sunlight makes in these guys.
Hmmmm . . . that might explain geeks!

 

[lovemeduckins]

geeks. That was hysterical.

So that could mean that with shorter days, maybe they "pull back" a bit? How curious. And thank you both.

It is nice to know that these guys are quite normal and just being ducks. But it is sooooo hard to watch and break them up when I can. It's funny, when I do break them up, they are fine. Like two boys fighting on the playground.

LMD

 

[hikerchick]

Why don't you put in a second kiddie pool? I have three drakes and two pools.

 

[Ducklove334]

if he's about 4 months old, he's just getting started!

my younger pekin drake started acting likr that about about 4- 4 1/2 months old, he's about 9 months old now and god forbid you get near "his" three girls who have bonded to him. he's also very pocessive over the "pond" and doesn't like anyone near it when he or his girls are.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Quote:
Just to be clear, and I think the ducks would agree with me on this, I think having enough geeks around helps make the world a little better place.