Hi Guys,
As most of you know I have 9 Chickens and 12 Ducks, I put in a shelter with their feeder in a few weeks back as the food was getting soaking wet in this horrible weather. But recently the chickens have taken to standing in the shelter (which I put in there for the ducks!!) And when I went out there this morning the ducks came running upto me and gobbled all the corn (which I give them everymoring-their regular pellets are available all the time) and the chickens were all in the shelter, do you think maybe the chickens are stopping the ducks from eating the food in the shelter?? I would seperate them but the chickens escape and I only have one feeder.
Thanks xx
Farming Friends Forum » Ducks
Bullying??
(15 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Laura, i don't have chickens as you know but I know ducks always give the impression of never eaten before, you could try seperating them if you think the ducks are being stopped from eating, my food goes straight into a heavey dog bowl under cover most of the time but to be honest they love it wet anyway, in fact what i thought was ducks eating then drinking is infact ducks scooping up water in their beaks then dropping the water into the food bowl, i see them do this alot x
Momo xPosted 2 years ago # -
Hi Mo, humm I could give the ducks their food outside-I shall need to purchase another feeder, Saturday morning quest shall be to heighten the fences to stop escaping chickens. They do bully the ducks for what seems no reason which makes me angry because there is no need. Mean chickens!!! xx
Posted 2 years ago # -
will be interesting to see if other peoples ducks and chickens don't get on x
mo xPosted 2 years ago # -
Hello both, Chooks I have found are very bossy towards other birds and to each other. I wonder if it's to do with pecking order? They do not argue with geese!!!! Regards Mama.
Goose GirlPosted 2 years ago # -
Maybe I should get a goose....show them who is boss. I chase the chickens or scat them if they bully the ducks near me-doesnt make any difference though, like Magnum was beside the food and not eating it but pecking the ducks as they came towards it. And carly actually grabbed hold of brutas with her beak then was jumping at her like roosters do. I chased Carly for that quite alot!!!! Carly is the worst chicken ever, she has never been a nice chicken, she picks on the other chickens too....she is just generally nasty. I should catch her and put a cork on her beak and file her claws......
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hi there. I have a feeder that stays outside in all weathers, as it has a lid and the food is only available when the chickens/ducks stand on a 'shelve' to open it at the bottom. It has been great and well worth the money (think it was about £30 for a 20ltr feeder)
I have 10 chickens and 4 ducks, and tend to keep them separate purely because the ducks make the chickens water so dirty. When we do let them 'mingle', after showing them who is boss, the chickens then let them feed away! Perhaps your ducks have just been pecked at too much and have given up, knowing you won't let them starve!?
KarenKaren xPosted 2 years ago # -
Oooo where did you get this feeder from??? That sounds ideal, then no rain can get in, or crows/blackbirds/rats cant steal the food!! Perfect! xx
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hi Laura, chickens are in the shelter as they don't like the rain but ducks couldn't care less. they will also eat wet food so I would put the duck food in the most sheltered spot you can find so it doesn't get saturated or do as we do and when we are home they come down to the house asking for food which is then thrown onto the ground at their feet.
SSarah LPosted 2 years ago # -
I dont finish work until 5 or 6 or sometimes 8 so they are all asleep by time I get in, I feed them their treat corn in the morning though. I have found some feeders called "treadle feeders" so I may get one of those as well as my regular feeder, then the old one can stay in the shelter and the other can go wherever!! Ahhh peace is resumed!! I think I shall probably still seperate them, as there will probably be king chickens inside, lower ranked chickens taking over the treadle feeder and still poor hungry duckies wandering around! xx
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hi everyone. This is my first post.
Since Spring 2009, we have had three Peking ducks and one mallard duck (male). They were raised together from the time they hatched, and have always gotten along very well.
After they lost some feathers in preparation for winter this year, the number of eggs dropped off to zero, but I noticed two things when we saw an egg for the first time yesterday (not sure if this is connected) and again today, the biggest Peking duck is picking on the mallard. I've never seen that before.
I've not seen any blood or feathers being pecked off, but I'm a bit distressed over the behavior. Is this a male dominance thing? How serious is it? And is there anything I can do about it?
Posted 2 years ago # -
if one of your pekins is a male then yes, he is trying to get rid of the mallard drake. This will get worse as they fully mature and get into spring. My advice is to seperate the mallard and find a lady mallard for him or find a new home for him. He will be no match for the Pekin drake due to his greater sze.
Sarah LPosted 2 years ago # -
Im not looking forward to spring when all my boys grow up and want dominance :o( I may make mini pens for them, so they can all have their own little pad with their respective ladies! xx
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have 4 drakes in together but never no bullying
Posted 2 years ago # -
Vernon, How many females to you have with them what age are they and are they drakes all related?
Sarah LPosted 2 years ago #
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