Why is my female Muscovy attacking her Drake?

[Miss Lydia]

The name of the food is called "Dumor Poultry Layer Crumble" and I mix "Producers Pride Scratch" with grains and corn in it. I've used these two mixes since they stopped eating baby poultry food. I checked Clem and did not see any drainage in his "nares" (I had no idea that's what they are called ) I was able to force a huff/hiss out of him (this is the first time I heard this in close to 2 weeks now) by putting my fingers around his neck. He has always hated me doing that. I usually pet him by starting around his neck, and going down into his back, and that causes excitement out of him. I did that to see if I could hear any congestion in his lungs, or nares, but I didn't hear anything. I did notice how nice his feathers look since we gave him a bath yesterday. When I went out earlier to change water and give fresh food to all the chickens and ducks, I always change out their straw/hay. That was about 3 hours ago, and while I was just out there, I didn't notice any duck poop from him. Isn't that strange?

You mentioned how concerned you were about the dead birds in my yard...Some things can get between ducks and chickens, do you know what that could be?

I do have one more concern. My daughters' friend gave her 4 bails of straw from fall decorations, they had been out in the weather until last week. When I just went out there to check on Clem, I noticed a musty/moldy smell, can that harm them? If so, I do have a little pine bedding I could switch out, but not enough to last the rest of this week.


Mold can dif cause harm they can get infection from breathing in the mold an pneumonia I'd change out any bedding that smells moldy even if you have to use old clean towels under him till you can get fresh straw of shavings. your not just feeding the cat food right? I'd just mix some into their feed it may take a day or 2 for them to like the taste. I ferment my flocks feeds so they get moistened feed daily but I think I'd just mix the cat food into their feed dry if you feed dry food. Not pooping is worrisome you could add some molasses in his drinking water that can help with constipation. maybe 1/4 cup to 1 gallon of water. Your in Penna? just asking because the Avian flu is in the western part of the country and with the dead wild birds and then some of your chickens dieing does make me concerned if you have any more chickens die i would contact your ag agent and see if you can get a necropsy done some universities will do them from free also any wild birds should be tested too. Don't mean to alarm you but that just doesn't sound right the wild birds dieing then you losing some chickens too. No if your birds are going in their 2nd yr that maybe another reason why your not seeing eggs this time of year. My chickens all molted from Sept into Oct. and never laid another egg till last week they will be 3 this year except for 2 they will be 2. But days are getting a little longer and that is what brings on the egg laying. Hopefully you'll begin to see eggs again soon.

 

[PADuckrunner]

I went out this morning and was happy to see Duck poop all over Clems cage. He drank all of his water, and a lot of his food throughout the night. He looks good, but still not hissing. I will definitely get out there and clean that straw out, and put something in its place. Thank you for letting me know about the cat food. When I go out to change out their food I will add dry cat food to it. They usually wet their own food with their water. I will give it to them dry, and when I go back out, it will be soaked with their water. It appears the girls drank their cat food, but Clem didn't touch his. I know they must have cabin fever, because of the extremely cold weather. They don't like going into the cold, if it is below 35 degrees. Today is beautiful though. We had a huge snow storm last night, and today is clear and very sunny. But, the temp is 25 degrees. I still have their door open for fresh air.

Yes, I am in Pennsylvania. I had the Ranger come to my home this past summer. He did tell me of the Avian flu, which really scares me. I have never seen so many dead birds in my life as I did this past summer. What's really weird about my chickens dying is if I let them out to free roam that's when I would find a dead chicken the next day. They have been kept in their pens since my Leghorn died, and I am not going to let them out to free roam until this Avian Flu passes. I can't stand to see my girls and boys dying. And, if Clem dies, I will definitely have the free organization test him. My husband and I wonder sometimes if they aren't being poisoned. The Leghorn was not free roaming the day I found him dead. That morning he was doing great, crowing and just being himself. That night, I found him dead. This is so frustrating to me. I just don't understand why Clemmy isn't hissing, and why Daisy is beating him up, but not her daughter, Pippy? Strange.

I would like to ask, how do you ferment their food? And, can I ask, what do you feed your ducks? I wish there was a duck food to feed them. Thank you for the recipe for resolving constipation.

 

[PADuckrunner]

Reply #2. I just returned from cleaning Clems pen, and placing plastic under his feeding area, then added the remaining pine bark to his area, including over the plastic. I attempted to get him to hiss again, but it was very shallow hissing. He acts like it may be an effort to do his hissing. When I clean the ducks pen it is typical of Clem to rotate positions for me while laying the bedding. but this time I had to actually pick him up and move him to lay the bedding. He seems to be ok with his legs, but he just seems to not want to move, unless I move him. I looked him over real good, and I just don't see anything out of the ordinary with him. Please pray for my little Clemmy? Thank you.

3 hours later: I just returned from cleaning coops and giving fresh water and food. I noticed there are 2 black streaks on Clem's bill. I didn't notice them yesterday, that doesn't mean they weren't there, I just never noticed.

 

[Miss Lydia]

This is what I followed for fermenting and my whole flock chickens, ducks and geese eat it an love it. You can make smaller or larger batch depending on how many birds you have just cut proportions of ingredients,My whole flock eats Layer feed formulated for chickens and I add Black oil sunflower seeds and dried split peas and cracked corn at a 2/1 ration on the cracked corn they also get romaine lettuce, chopped kale and cabbage during winter months maybe a couple times a week.
I don't hear my Muscovy drakes hiss all that much so maybe your worrying too much about that. And it may take a while for Clem to acquire a taste for cat food then again he may never like it but your duck that has been pulling out his feathers is eating it so that's good.

A ranger came to your house and he didn't take any of the dead birds and have them tested? that's crazy.
when you say poisoned how do you mean by someone or eating something while out foraging?
Maybe the cold has got Clem not wanting to move around having a good appetite means he must not be feeling poorly because appetite is one of the first things that goes. So just keep a close eye on him for discharge from eyes or nares, wheezing , going off feed. And if you feel he is lonely can you put his daughter Pippy in with him for a day just for company?
I'll pray for Clem too.

Isn't it funny how seeing duck poop can make us feel relieved. lol

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/no-strain-hot-water-easy-fermented-feed-method-w-video

 

[PADuckrunner]

This is what I followed for fermenting and my whole flock chickens, ducks and geese eat it an love it. You can make smaller or larger batch depending on how many birds you have just cut proportions of ingredients,My whole flock eats Layer feed formulated for chickens and I add Black oil sunflower seeds and dried split peas and cracked corn at a 2/1 ration on the cracked corn they also get romaine lettuce, chopped kale and cabbage during winter months maybe a couple times a week.
I don't hear my Muscovy drakes hiss all that much so maybe your worrying too much about that. And it may take a while for Clem to acquire a taste for cat food then again he may never like it but your duck that has been pulling out his feathers is eating it so that's good.

A ranger came to your house and he didn't take any of the dead birds and have them tested? that's crazy.
when you say poisoned how do you mean by someone or eating something while out foraging?
Maybe the cold has got Clem not wanting to move around having a good appetite means he must not be feeling poorly because appetite is one of the first things that goes. So just keep a close eye on him for discharge from eyes or nares, wheezing , going off feed. And if you feel he is lonely can you put his daughter Pippy in with him for a day just for company?
I'll pray for Clem too.

Isn't it funny how seeing duck poop can make us feel relieved. lol

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/no-strain-hot-water-easy-fermented-feed-method-w-video

Well, I decided to wait a few days before coming back, so I could keep an eye on Clem. Good News! He seems to be just fine now. He is slowly coming back with his hissing, and when I clean his coop, he rotates for me now, instead of me picking him up to move him, he actually moves for me. He is eating and drinking more each day, and is becoming more alive. I believe there were a couple things going on, one is that he misses his rooster buddy, and became depressed over it, and got sick, I noticed he had a wheeze at first, and now that is gone. I am still keeping an eye on the black streaks on his bill. Overall, he is doing much better. I want to say thank you to all who prayed for him, and to the two that supported me through this trying time.

Thank you for the recipe for fermented feed. I think I will try that. You are right, he doesn't like the cat food all that much, but Daisy loves it. She won't eat it dry though. I actually have to get it wet for her to eat it. I will take out about a half cup of wet cat food, and the next day the dish is upside down, and she is begging for more. So, I think you had something there, she was missing protein in her diet. Thanks!

Yes, I did find that kind of strange that the ranger did not take any of the dead birds. But when I called him the next time, he did take one, and told me to collect up to 5 before calling again, well, I did have at least that many the first time. I don't get it either. I am not sure what I mean by poison. It may be from someone in the neighboring area, but I live in the country, so that can't be it. Maybe it's something they eat. When I let them out, they all head for the forest, and won't come back out until dark. So, I am not sure if it's something they get out of the woods, or what? It's just strange when I do let them out at least one to two die the next day.

We have decided to leave Clem and the girls the way they are until Springtime. Once it gets warmer, and I know Clem is stronger, we will attempt to re-incorporate them back together. I may try to put Pippy in with him just to see if he will accept her without Daisy, and keep you posted on that too. Thank you again for your prayers and support. I just love this website. I may not comment, or be active here, but I do visit very often and read all the forums, they have helped me so much. Everyone here has so much wisdom to share, and I just love it. I know when Pippy was born, I got a lot of help from everyone. She hatched in my hand, and I had no idea how to care for her, so, I came here, and with everyone's help, I was able to care for her properly.

OH, thank you for the link/video for fermented food.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well, I decided to wait a few days before coming back, so I could keep an eye on Clem. Good News! He seems to be just fine now. He is slowly coming back with his hissing, and when I clean his coop, he rotates for me now, instead of me picking him up to move him, he actually moves for me. He is eating and drinking more each day, and is becoming more alive. I believe there were a couple things going on, one is that he misses his rooster buddy, and became depressed over it, and got sick, I noticed he had a wheeze at first, and now that is gone. I am still keeping an eye on the black streaks on his bill. Overall, he is doing much better. I want to say thank you to all who prayed for him, and to the two that supported me through this trying time.

Thank you for the recipe for fermented feed. I think I will try that. You are right, he doesn't like the cat food all that much, but Daisy loves it. She won't eat it dry though. I actually have to get it wet for her to eat it. I will take out about a half cup of wet cat food, and the next day the dish is upside down, and she is begging for more. So, I think you had something there, she was missing protein in her diet. Thanks!

Yes, I did find that kind of strange that the ranger did not take any of the dead birds. But when I called him the next time, he did take one, and told me to collect up to 5 before calling again, well, I did have at least that many the first time. I don't get it either. I am not sure what I mean by poison. It may be from someone in the neighboring area, but I live in the country, so that can't be it. Maybe it's something they eat. When I let them out, they all head for the forest, and won't come back out until dark. So, I am not sure if it's something they get out of the woods, or what? It's just strange when I do let them out at least one to two die the next day.

We have decided to leave Clem and the girls the way they are until Springtime. Once it gets warmer, and I know Clem is stronger, we will attempt to re-incorporate them back together. I may try to put Pippy in with him just to see if he will accept her without Daisy, and keep you posted on that too. Thank you again for your prayers and support. I just love this website. I may not comment, or be active here, but I do visit very often and read all the forums, they have helped me so much. Everyone here has so much wisdom to share, and I just love it. I know when Pippy was born, I got a lot of help from everyone. She hatched in my hand, and I had no idea how to care for her, so, I came here, and with everyone's help, I was able to care for her properly.

OH, thank you for the link/video for fermented food.

That is great news about Clem so happy to hear he is doing so good now. Sounds like you have a good plan in place so let me know how it all pans out when spring gets here.
I'm already seeing the carnuckles getting redder so I know it won't be long till breeding season is upon us and the boys will be back at each other. oh how I don't look forward to that. but part of having multiple drakes lol.

You maybe right about the flock eating something in the woods even something dead and rotting can cause botulism and in the sticky's here on the duck thread there is a link to treating for botulism.

Hope to see you around .

 

[PADuckrunner]

I most surely will keep you posted on my buddy Clem. At least by keeping Clem separated from the girls, I now know who the culprit pig is that makes such a mess with their food and water, and that would be Mr. Clem. MAN!! HE is such a messy eater/drinker. The girls not so much. I am not looking forward to the breeding season this spring. Little Pippy gets such a territorial attitude and will attack anyone that comes near the coop. I just pick her up and sit her on my lap and put my upper body on top of her. She will go to sleep, and about 15 minutes later, she goes back to her business. But until then, she is a complete wild beast.

That reminds me, since we are talking about ducks. Why is it that once a baby is hatched, they kill it? I don't know who it is doing it, but I have caught Clem eating a baby once, and did it ever upset daisy, for at least 3 days. She just went into this tizzy, and didn't come out of it for that many days. Another time, I found a baby in the drinking water, dead. I saw Pippy next to the water dish, it appeared to me that she was trying to get it out of the water. Maybe I can nip this now, before they attempt to have any babies this spring. That is why I hatched Pippy myself, due to the awful things they were doing. After six months I put her with them, and everything was fine after that. I just don't want to see this again.

That's what I was thinking too, maybe the chickens were eating something dead, and they got sick from it. I will search the forum regarding Botulism, and maybe I can prevent death. Thanks so much for all your wisdom.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I most surely will keep you posted on my buddy Clem. At least by keeping Clem separated from the girls, I now know who the culprit pig is that makes such a mess with their food and water, and that would be Mr. Clem. MAN!! HE is such a messy eater/drinker. The girls not so much. I am not looking forward to the breeding season this spring. Little Pippy gets such a territorial attitude and will attack anyone that comes near the coop. I just pick her up and sit her on my lap and put my upper body on top of her. She will go to sleep, and about 15 minutes later, she goes back to her business. But until then, she is a complete wild beast.

That reminds me, since we are talking about ducks. Why is it that once a baby is hatched, they kill it? I don't know who it is doing it, but I have caught Clem eating a baby once, and did it ever upset daisy, for at least 3 days. She just went into this tizzy, and didn't come out of it for that many days. Another time, I found a baby in the drinking water, dead. I saw Pippy next to the water dish, it appeared to me that she was trying to get it out of the water. Maybe I can nip this now, before they attempt to have any babies this spring. That is why I hatched Pippy myself, due to the awful things they were doing. After six months I put her with them, and everything was fine after that. I just don't want to see this again.

That's what I was thinking too, maybe the chickens were eating something dead, and they got sick from it. I will search the forum regarding Botulism, and maybe I can prevent death. Thanks so much for all your wisdom.

Drakes cannot be trusted with ducklings, they don't see them as their own, so most of us recc the mama and ducklings be separated by some kind of fencing for at least 3 weeks this gives ducklings time to grow and get use to their surroundings, I keep mine were everyone can see each other but mom and babies have their won sleeping quarters and fenced in area. Other ducks can't be trusted either with newly hatched ducklings, even mama will sometimes kill or hurt their own, so when hatching begins you have to keep watch and make sure mom is doing her best to care and keep lil ones warm. I know someone may come on and say I keep my ducklings with the flock drakes included and everything is fine but after losing a few ducklings I think better of it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700526/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal#post_9508213