When to Downsize?

[Jego]

I can't decide whether we should downsize or try to figure something else out.

We have mean chickens and ducks. None of them like each other. I think we introduced them the "right" way, but they just aren't getting along. They've all paired off. We have a pair of mating ducks, their offspring who also paired off, two hens who have paired off, and two loner hens. The 4 ducks can get along enough to be housed together, though they are annoyingly and LOUDLY after each other all the time.

The chickens are a no-go. Our two hens were nice until a coyote got their 3rd hen and rooster. After that, I think one of the hens took over the rooster role. She killed a cockerel (her son that we hatched) and every time we let the birds out to free range, she tries to chase down the loner hens (also her offspring) to attack. We have considerable space, so I'm not sure why she can't just ignore the poor girls. We have a duck house, two coops, and a couple of individual pens.

What do I do? Should I just get rid of several? Should I eat them all? Would getting a grown rooster again help the situation? It's getting out of hand. Individually, all the birds are nice to people.

I feel like the mom whose kids just can't shut up and stop bickering.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Pics of your set up might help

 

[Acre4Me]

We tend to solve for peace in the flock.

Ducks-do you want them with all the noise and bickering? No, then sell or swap for more chickens (after you quarantine the new chickens you can intro to your current ones). Yes, then keep and determine if having their own duck space is what is needed.

Chickens: any reason to keep dominant one? Yes, then put her in a large dog cage with food and water, in a shady spot (or her own pen). Let her settle down and let the others enjoy their time. You can reintroduce the hen in a couple of weeks. Might help. You can sell her.

If you get a new rooster, get a known nice one that is a year old. Will no longer be so hormonal and will have the experience or knowledge to run the flock. Usually introducing a new rooster comes without too much problem -the dominant hen will likely have an issue at first. But quarantine first, of course.

 

[raingarden]

If it's not fun then don't do it.

 

[Flockincrazy]

I can't decide whether we should downsize or try to figure something else out.

We have mean chickens and ducks. None of them like each other. I think we introduced them the "right" way, but they just aren't getting along. They've all paired off. We have a pair of mating ducks, their offspring who also paired off, two hens who have paired off, and two loner hens. The 4 ducks can get along enough to be housed together, though they are annoyingly and LOUDLY after each other all the time.

The chickens are a no-go. Our two hens were nice until a coyote got their 3rd hen and rooster. After that, I think one of the hens took over the rooster role. She killed a cockerel (her son that we hatched) and every time we let the birds out to free range, she tries to chase down the loner hens (also her offspring) to attack. We have considerable space, so I'm not sure why she can't just ignore the poor girls. We have a duck house, two coops, and a couple of individual pens.

What do I do? Should I just get rid of several? Should I eat them all? Would getting a grown rooster again help the situation? It's getting out of hand. Individually, all the birds are nice to people.

I feel like the mom whose kids just can't shut up and stop bickering.

The mean one's would be gone if it were me