Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
arikeden

Hostile Ducks

arikeden
13 years ago

About two months ago I got 2 ducks:

1. crested, all white, over a foot tall when walking

2. buff orpington, white-headed with brown back much shorter than the crested one

Previous owner did not have a pen for these two, and they were always in a pond. Sleeping there at night and most of the time during the day. So, they were kind of wildish.

When I got them, I moved my older pullable chicken coop to my pond and for about week or so was catching these ducks every night and putting them into this pen. Eventually, they figured out there is food at night, and now they are running to the pen after I visit it - they still fairly unapproachable.

At this point we decided to buy 6 peking ducklings - about 6-8 weeks old - the owner wasn't sure.

These were the opposite. They were not accustomed to water/pond, and were trying to roam in an adjacent field. I had to chase them to the pond. Once in the pond, they were fine, enjoying it.

When we placed all of these ducks and ducklings into the same pen, they were sitting at the opposite corners, and even had a small fight. Now my buff does not allow them to enter the pond. As soon as they enter the pond, buff bites them, chases them out, and then chases them around the pen 2-3 circles.

How do I turn them into one happy family of ducks?

I have no clue about their sexes. Buff and crested are always together, but no eggs...

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Comments (5)

  • brendasue
    13 years ago

    The older ducks are being territorial.

    Pen the young ones in the area, in a secure pen so no predators (weasels, etc) can get to them. Tie the door closed in addition to latching it, make sure nothing can squeeze through the wire, or dig under. Some predators can fit in a 1"x2" opening. This will allow introductions to take place, they can get used to each other w/o the little ones getting picked on, and after a week or 2 the older ducks should come to realize that the new ducks are now a part of the flock (though issues can arise if you have too many males).

    If you can't secure a 24/7 pen, daytime penning would suffice but will probably take a little longer.
    Good luck. Be sure to provide food, water, and shelter from sun & wind.

    Brendasue

  • softmentor
    13 years ago

    I have only one use for farm animals that choose to be a problem instead of useful; sounds like dinner "buff"ette to me.
    with a nice sauce of tangerine (or orange) juice and dates cooked down into a nice syrup and drizzled over the duck with some rice and maybe some tender asparagus spears.

  • rustyshackleford27
    13 years ago

    Ducks are similar to chickens in that they will just have to establish a pecking order. Just keep them all penned in together and let them work it out. You should only be concerned if anybody stops eating or you can see skin from feathers being pecked at. Brendasue is right, the older ducks are being territorial. And pekins are so sweet by nature they probably allow the bullying to some degree. If anybody gets seriously injured or stops eating then seperate them for sure! Otherwise, I'd say they are probably just being birds.

  • arikeden
    Original Author
    13 years ago

    Thanks for all your responses.

    The ducks have worked it out among themselves. After a couple weeks of fighting they seem to be one happy family of ducks. I suspect it's mainly due to pekins out-growing the buff and the crested. Pekins are very plump now.

    Now I ran into another serious issue. It seems that my pond is infested with turtles who, it seems to me, bite ducks, and now ducks are afraid even entering the pond.

    When I chase ducks into the pond, they swim for while, but then start sort of jumping in the air, and rushing out of the pond.

    Any ideas how to deal with the turtles?

    Thanks

  • lazy_gardens
    13 years ago

    Look up "turtle trap"

    The big ones can take off an entire duck foot.

Sponsored
Daniel Russo Home
Average rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars13 Reviews
Premier Interior Design Team Transforming Spaces in Franklin County