Fighting Female Ducks?

[ChickenLittleFarm]

Hi everyone!

I am pretty new to ducks. I have a bonded pair (male and female) of Pekin ducks that are about 8/9months old. I recently, within the last 2 months adopted 3 other females, a mallard and a khaki campbell (raised together) and a muscovy. The mallard and the khaki are about a year I think and the muscovy is about 6 months old. They were all getting along fine, but last night I found my little mallard by herself and hurt pretty badly. At first I thought she was attacked by a dog or something, that's not totally ruled out, but now I am wondering if one of the other ducks hurt her. All of her feathers on her back and under her wings have been ripped out to the point that the skin is torn open on her sides. Could she have been attacked by one of the other females or could my drake have done it to her? I am trying to figure out who and if I should separate to prevent this from happening to one of the others. Any help, advice or suggestions are appreciated. THANKS!

 

[Brooke_R]

Could it have been a hawk too?

 

[ChickenLittleFarm]

Could it have been a hawk too?

I have no idea. Anything is possible, but wouldn't the hawk have just taken her? Also it was rainy yesterday evening so I don't know that any hawks were out. We do have falcons here where I live. Maybe that could have hurt her.

 

[SolarDuck]

Could you post some pictures of her? That sounds more like a predator attack but maybe it could be another duck if they are a lot bigger than her.

 

[ChickenLittleFarm]

Could you post some pictures of her? That sounds more like a predator attack but maybe it could be another duck if they are a lot bigger than her.

This is a picture of one side and part of her back. I didn't get a picture of the other side. It could be a predator, but I wondered if it might be the male or female pekin.

 

[Miss Lydia]

You have her inside away from everyone now right? I'd almost guess a predator too, but being a Mallard seems she would have just gotten carted off. My girls do have their spats but never has one hurt the other to any degree. And never had a drake do that kind of damage. Have you noticed anyone picking on her before this happened? It is getting into serious breeding season. She should survive but it's sure going to take a while.

 

[ChickenLittleFarm]

You have her inside away from everyone now right? I'd almost guess a predator too, but being a Mallard seems she would have just gotten carted off. My girls do have their spats but never has one hurt the other to any degree. And never had a drake do that kind of damage. Have you noticed anyone picking on her before this happened? It is getting into serious breeding season. She should survive but it's sure going to take a while.

I do have her separated and in the house right now. I originally thought a predator too, but the more I look at it I can't figure out what predator could get to her that would do that. I also haven't seen any fighting or bullyinelg either.That's what has me so confused and why I am so surprised. I am wondering if I should separate the little khaki as well. She isn't much bigger than this little mallard.

 

[Brooke_R]

I have no idea. Anything is possible, but wouldn't the hawk have just taken her? Also it was rainy yesterday evening so I don't know that any hawks were out. We do have falcons here where I live. Maybe that could have hurt her.

I saw someone’s video once where a hawk tried to grab their duck and hurt underneath his wings but he was still in their yard. So I guess it may could’ve attacked her and not taken her

 

[ChickenLittleFarm]

I saw someone’s video once where a hawk tried to grab their duck and hurt underneath his wings but he was still in their yard. So I guess it may could’ve attacked her and not taken her

YIKES! That's good to know. I didn't know that could happen.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I do have her separated and in the house right now. I originally thought a predator too, but the more I look at it I can't figure out what predator could get to her that would do that. I also haven't seen any fighting or bullyinelg either.That's what has me so confused and why I am so surprised. I am wondering if I should separate the little khaki as well. She isn't much bigger than this little mallard.

It would be a good idea if the little mallard had company as long as the KC doesn't pick on her and the Mallard is alert. Do your ducks have a shelter like a pen with a cover over top?Might be a good idea to keep them up for a few days and keep an eye out on the sky or around your area. Actually where the Mallard when this happened? Could she have been in an enclousure with chickens wire ?