Paintingducks
In the Brooder
- Oct 17, 2023
- 7
- 85
- 44
I have 1 male (Cayuga) and 5 females (1Cayuga, 2 Pekin, and 2 Rouen) - all but one Rouen I got this past May 2023 - the other Rouen I've had for a little over a year (her sister was killed by a hawk). I got them all as ducklings and introduced them to her immediately but didn't house them with her until they were about 6 to 8 weeks old. She's been laying eggs this whole time but stopped about three weeks ago. Everyone has been getting along fine but in the last week to 10 days I've noticed my oldest Rouen is losing quite a few feathers - I thought she was just molting but the last few days it's been getting so much worse. I've witnessed the male going over to her and just ripping her feathers out - she basically has only a few wing feathers left and this morning when I let them out he went right over to her and started pecking at the back of her neck (which I know they do for mating) but then proceeded to hold her down and was pecking at her face, around her eyes, and had his entire bill around her head in the eye area. He doesn't try to get on her to mate or anything - just very aggressive. She has stopped going into the pools when he's in there and although she stays with the flock, she is staying off to the side or back a little. I feel so badly for her. He isn't doing this to the others. She's my baby so I don't want to isolate her and have her feel bad. He goes after her when they are roaming my backyard (all fenced in) and I've tried to keep him in the pen for a bit but they all just stay by the gate and squawk. Please help. He's very gentle when I hold him (I try to hold each one at least every other day and they like it).