How to stop Muscovy ducks from bullying each other?

[ruthhope]

I think you need to partition your coop so they all have their little cubicle. I do have one pekin drake that sleeps in a dog crate all year round but when the muscovy start getting frisky, I use a temporary dog pen that I can fold into cubicles

The pekin on the right is in a dog crate, and the muscovy each have a cubicle. At the moment, the three muscovies' cubicles open into a common area, but if they start squabbling at night, I put a piece of plywood across the cubicles to keep the muscovy separate

 

[StinkyAcres]

I think you need to partition your coop so they all have their little cubicle. I do have one pekin drake that sleeps in a dog crate all year round but when the muscovy start getting frisky, I use a temporary dog pen that I can fold into cubicles View attachment 4007379

The pekin on the right is in a dog crate, and the muscovy each have a cubicle. At the moment, the three muscovies' cubicles open into a common area, but if they start squabbling at night, I put a piece of plywood across the cubicles to keep the muscovy separate

I knew I should've gotten dog pens on Black Friday! haha
Thanks for the idea! It's good to know it's normal to have quarrelsome ducks.

 

[ruthhope]

I knew I should've gotten dog pens on Black Friday! haha
Thanks for the idea! It's good to know it's normal to have quarrelsome ducks.

I have bought new pens from Tractor Supply but I have also picked up good ones for $10 at a local thrift store. It's always worth checking local on line markets, too.

 

[StinkyAcres]

I had to separate the bullied one. The other three were keeping her from eating food, drinking water, and away from the heater. I could tell she was constantly stressed around them so I brought her inside the unheated basement. I think a few days in the crate will help her calm down and also help me be able to tell if she's okay health-wise. Now to figure out what to do next...

 

[StinkyAcres]

I need help figuring out what is best for Willoughby. I put her back in with the other three ducks and they started bullying her again right away. Then I tried to put her in with the chickens. She calmed down immediately but my chickens are terrified of her because she picks on them (not badly, but she might get worse). Should I rehome her? Remove the biggest bully duck to duck jail for a while? Try to make the chickens used to her? I just want everyone to be happy.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Well, I did some duck training today. I stood out in the duck pen with a shovel in my hand to keep the bully duck (Laguna) away from the bullied duck (Willoughby). After a while Laguna seemed to understand that if she chased Willoughby she got a shovel or boot in her face. I haven't seen bullying since.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Now, will this good behaviour continue when you aren't around?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Now, will this good behaviour continue when you aren't around?

Yeah..I was keeping an eye on them from inside the house and I didn't see any fighting, but we'll have to see if it continues tomorrow. I did separate her in the coop to prevent fights inside at night. If she does go back to her old ways I set up a small pen inside the duck pen in case I need to separate her longer.

 

[StinkyAcres]

@Canadian Wind how are your Muscovies doing?

 

[Canadian Wind]

They're doing well, thanks! Not thrilled with winter, but then again neither am I!