What is going on with my ducks?

[FNF]

I have six runner ducks, all females. Three are about 18 months or so, the other three are closer to 6.5 months. After careful introduction, everyone was integrated successfully over a long period of time. They shared their little house and enclosed yard, and pond, pretty much without issue. Then in early November one of the older ones was getting bloody feathers overnight. I separated her within the house with a divide and let her out with the rest during the day. Then it happened during the day too, just recently. I don't know if there is more than one culprit but I suspect there is.

At first I thought it was outright bullying but it seems like maybe it's aggressive "hop on top" mating behavior. Sometimes I catch them doing that on the ground, which I know is not safe for their little legs, and sometimes it's in the pond. They all do it, but she seems to get the brunt of the rough feather biting, though I also see her hopping on top. It's both wings they look terrible. I took her to the vet once and she pulled some feathers out, but said it looks worse than it is. Nevertheless, it's distressing! Since the daytime issue I have started separating her within the enclosure so she can see everyone and they share a water bucket and run with the divider so she's not a complete outcast. And I separate her at night. But this is my long winded way of asking, is this normal? It's December, they've been together for months without issue, and suddenly they're all super amorous - aggressively so. Domination? Hormones? What's up?? Will it stop??

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How big is their coop? How much space do they have as a run or when they are let out?

 

[FNF]

Here are some pictures of their setup. It's not huge but they have shared the house successfully for months without issue (until last month). They go into the run for food but are not confined to it during the day. The picture with the little pen with canvas cover is when I was slowly introducing the ducklings but it's to try and show that they have a good size space within their enclosure along with a pond.

 

[Canadian Wind]

What is your hen:drake ratio?

My first thought is that it may be a lack of protein and they are picking the pin feathers as they have a high protein level. What are you feeding them?

 

[FNF]

What is your hen:drake ratio?

My first thought is that it may be a lack of protein and they are picking the pin feathers as they have a high protein level. What are you feeding them?

Zero drakes! All females - all the more perplexing! They get mostly Mazuri maintenance with a little Mazuri layer mixed in (free choice oyster too). Plus peas and mealworms and lettuce treats. Fruit other other things from time to time.

 

[Canadian Wind]

What is the protein percentages on those Mazuri foods?

Mine get between 18% and 22% depending on season and if they are moulting.

 

[FNF]

What is the protein percentages on those Mazuri foods?

Mine get between 18% and 22% depending on season and if they are moulting.

Looks like 14% in maintenance and 17% in layer. I tapered protein from starter to adult levels as they grew and supplement with treats. Plus they forage in their enclosure/yard.

 

[FNF]

What is the protein percentages on those Mazuri foods?

Mine get between 18% and 22% depending on season and if they are moulting.

What feed do you use?

 

[Canadian Wind]

Local company called Shur Gain. The 18% is the duck maintenance formula and the 22% is Duckling Grower.

Sounds like what you have has been formulated for chickens which have a lower protein requirement. If you can't find a duck specific feed you can give them extra mealworms or even cat food (sparingly) to up the level.

What do you give them for niacin?

 

[FNF]

Local company called Shur Gain. The 18% is the duck maintenance formula and the 22% is Duckling Grower.

Sounds like what you have has been formulated for chickens which have a lower protein requirement. If you can't find a duck specific feed you can give them extra mealworms or even cat food (sparingly) to up the level.

What do you give them for niacin?

Interesting. No it’s definitely meant for waterfowl specifically. When I was researching ducklings and ducks before our first three I read a lot about protein requirements. And most of it tapered down from starter to adult. But I can certainly try another feed if higher protein is called for. The feed has niacin but I put brewers yeast on it a few times a week.