Three Amigos….or three a$$holes?

[Aintnoduckdog]

I have three Appleyard drakes. This is our first spring. They are inseparable and have so much to say. The problem is… they bite me and family members nonstop whenever we walk away from them. But now they are bitting each other in the neck. Sometimes they seem like nibbles but sometimes they are clearly biting and not letting go of the other. Should I separate them this spring? Will they… rape… each other? I only have chicken hens that they share a house with. Chickens sleep upstairs in the loft but the boys have started walking up there if we don’t let them out early enough. I need guidance! Please, help me navigate how to handle them this spring!!

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

It can be dangerous to have drakes around hens at mating season for sure. If they mate a hen, they can ruin her reproductive system and even kill her. I would try separate housing and runs, but not near each other if possible. The drakes will fight constantly if they see a female around, even if it is a chicken hen and not a duck hen.

 

[KathiQuacks]

This is likely misplaced sexual aggression. Biting you, your family, each other.. They could mount each other & your chickens, which may cause injury or death.

I agree with separating them from the chickens and possibly from each other, if necessary.

 

[davez]

As far as the drakes behavior to each other, They are establishing pecking order. They will work things out and settle down. And every once in a while they will go at it again.

If they go after you. Grab them and sit on them for 2, better yet 3 or 4 minutes (use a timer, 30 seconds wont work). Just like they do to other males. Hold their head extended down, straddle them in a kneeling position. It should get them to understand that you are not to be messed with and they are submissive to you.

 

[3bird]

We raise silver appleyards exclusively (thank you for working with the breed!). As others have said, separate them from your chicken hens for sure. As a boys club, they should be able to work out their pecking order--just keep an eye on them. I'd suggest getting some silver appleyard hens, but you'd need a ~1:3 ration of drakes to ducks, and I'm not sure you are set-up to do that.

 

[Aintnoduckdog]

It can be dangerous to have drakes around hens at mating season for sure. If they mate a hen, they can ruin her reproductive system and even kill her. I would try separate housing and runs, but not near each other if possible. The drakes will fight constantly if they see a female around, even if it is a chicken hen and not a duck hen.

Oh my gosh!! Thank you for telling me that! I didn’t think they would go after a chicken hen!

 

[Aintnoduckdog]

This is likely misplaced sexual aggression. Biting you, your family, each other.. They could mount each other & your chickens, which may cause injury or death.

I agree with separating them from the chickens and possibly from each other, if necessary.

Thank you for your response!! I will do that.

 

[Aintnoduckdog]

We raise silver appleyards exclusively (thank you for working with the breed!). As others have said, separate them from your chicken hens for sure. As a boys club, they should be able to work out their pecking order--just keep an eye on them. I'd suggest getting some silver appleyard hens, but you'd need a ~1:3 ration of drakes to ducks, and I'm not sure you are set-up to do that.

Thank you so much for your advice! I’d love to get hens but yes, I’d need a larger set up. They are such jerks but they are so entertaining (when they aren’t being aggressive!)

 

[Aintnoduckdog]

As far as the drakes behavior to each other, They are establishing pecking order. They will work things out and settle down. And every once in a while they will go at it again.

If they go after you. Grab them and sit on them for 2, better yet 3 or 4 minutes (use a timer, 30 seconds wont work). Just like they do to other males. Hold their head extended down, straddle them in a kneeling position. It should get them to understand that you are not to be messed with and they are submissive to you.

Ive heard of doing that! I will give it a shot! Thank you so much for your advice.