Drakes not getting along

[duckducksnooze]

Hello everyone,

We have 11 ducks, 2 of which are drakes (Welsh Harlequin). The drakes and the majority of the other ducks are about 9 months old. Up until a week or so ago the drakes got along great with only the odd chase down. Now we're seeing one of them chase the other away from their water and the other ducks almost every time. It's like he's stalking the other one. Sometimes he gets ahold of the other's torso feathers and pushes him around. A few days ago the other one would fight back the odd time with the whole puffed bumping chest and nipping thing but he no longer seems to do that. It seems like he's given in to being the beta of the flock between the two of them. I'm going to guess it is just hormones at play and hopefully it gets better. No one seems to be getting hurt. I feel bad for the one getting bullied(put in his place in the pecking order) because it looks like high school out there lol.

Is this something that will get better over time or should I start looking at rehoming one of them?

 

[Quatie]

Do they get along when they are separated from the females? A few of my boys will fight over females, but separate them all out and they get along just fine.

 

[duckducksnooze]

Do they get along when they are separated from the females? A few of my boys will fight over females, but separate them all out and they get along just fine.

I'll have to give that a shot. Harder to do than normal since we have a bunch of snow here at the moment.

 

[Quatie]

I'll have to give that a shot. Harder to do than normal since we have a bunch of snow here at the moment.

Yeah that can be a challenge. If they don't get a long when they are separated, that is not a good sign for the future. I personally separate out my drakes during the mating season so the females get a break. And then I usually cycle them out, so I don't have them all out at the same time.

 

[Canadian Wind]

At that age, it's definitely hormones. Your ratio is good so they are deciding their place in the flock. I had two brothers that stuck together like glue, even during mating season. And then I had some that were awful and needed to be separated.

Even my bachelor flock had their pecking order though. I had to feed the underdog/duck by himself so he wouldn't be bullied away from the food.