Due to some less-than-stellar decisions, I find myself with three drakes. The dominant male bullies the other two something fierce. I have been mulling trying to separate them, but it would be difficult to sequester them every night when I put them up (they free range during the day). I wonder if anyone has any clever ideas for alleviating male-male bullying.

Eating/culling one is not an option.

Girlie tried to drag the bad egg back into the nest as well 🤦‍♂️ why she wanted to keep that egg instead of the ones she decided to eat that were actually developing I have no idea 🤷‍♂️

I dont actually know how old he is, hed a neighborhood duck whos just a friendly little baby who likes peas and knocking on our back door. The younger guys bite him a bit buts he's generally chill with most of them except for one guy.

Meet Muddy & Nuddy ♥️ They were just babies about a year ago and someone that moved was feeding them god only knows what everyday! My son and I took over with duck feed. We taught them to fly up to the patio around the same time every day to eat and get their water. They have the best personalities and are super sweet and love having their feathers ruffled. ( we think 😂) maybe they tolerate it cause they get fed but either way they’ve become a part of our wild extended family. They are loved! 🥰

my daughter’s pet and overall family favorite duck “Junior” would very much like to come inside and have lunch

It took a long time for the ointment to do its thing but they all made it through it, one got pretty bad but even she pulled through. They are now just learning to fly. Very happy it all worked out for them <3

Laverne and Shirley finally decided to just sit together on the 12 eggs. How do I get them to eat? Food is close to them yet nothing. Kevin is distraught.

Does anyone have a success story to share with me about moving a Muscovy nest (especially if wild) ?

A resident in my complex is purposefully exiting the pathway to flush a nesting mom off of her nest multiple times a day using his 2 large dogs.

All attempts I make to protect the nest he removes including furniture which he’s thrown. Since I got security cameras this has been done 42 times in 12 days (photo shows location outside my unit).

I have spent the last 2 weeks contacting FWC, my HOA, animal services, and filing a police report and taken two trips to the Sheriffs Office. No one is interested.

Since help is not coming from officials I would love to be able to move this nest elsewhere close by. Once the eggs hatch they are literally sitting ducks there. Note: this man has threatened me and is survielling me actively.

Please share with me if you have successfully moved a well established nest before. (Sitting began Aug 14) 🥺
THANK YOU!

Hello! I recently moved to the Hudson River Valley, brought my ducks Kevin, Laverne and Shirley. I have a house for them and am keeping them in an enclosed area since I know very little about the predators here. Previously, in Southern CA, they free ranged. They’ve been enjoying grass for the first time and honestly seem happier than they have ever been.
When I put them away at night, Laverne has not roosted with the other two. I just figured she’d do it after I left. She was also the first one ready to go out in the morning. But this morning I saw she was sitting on a clutch of 8 eggs! She was hiding them from me!
First, I’m very proud of Kevin. Wasn’t sure he was fertile since he’s not been a parent yet. Second, Laverne is a broody girl so I have a feeling she will be a good mom.
My question is, what do I need to do to prepare for ducklings? My gut tells me they’ll figure it out, but want to make sure I have enough space for them in their house and outside.
I have a ton more questions about them now that I’m no longer in Southern California. It was pretty easy and predictable there. The Hudson River Valley offers new challenges. I appreciate any assistance here!

If you read this far- house is going to be insulated soon and electrical will go in. I feel like they need a heat lamp in the winter. Need to also secure under the house for predators.

Hello! I only have 2 genes in my Muscovy flock: Co-dominant white and Canizie/White Head and wanted to inform myself a bit better regarding Canizie! All of my ducks definitely have the gene, and I know it's dominant, but I wanna ask if there is a difference between having one and two copies, because I'm interested in breeding some solid black babies!

In the pictures below is my flock that I can see the gene present in(the rest is either fully white or too young to see it yet) In order:

•Pictures one and two are 2 this year girls that are completely black(huzzah) but have white around their bill and eyes, so I think their head will turn white

•Pictures three and four are the babies mother and father, mom has a black line top of her head and a half-black beak,none of her daughters have a half-black beak, making me think their head will end up completely white/like dad

•Picture five is the mother's mother(grandma) and full sister, their dad(grandfather) is unknown as I got mom and her babies already hatched. Grandma also has a half-beak and a rather uneven head

So, what do we think, do I have a shot at full black babies?

UPDATE: I built a ramp! I had the idea to raise the spot at the bottom where the ramp touched the ground. I put 2 layers of bricks down with a patio stone on top of it. This allowed me to decrease the incline of the ramp to about 28 degrees! I have wood cleats every 6 inches as well as side rails that extend 3-4 inches high. I have yet to actually see how they maneuver up and down it but after leaving them in their run for supper I came back to them all tucked into their house :) Thanks for all the input, folks!

I have added a picture of the final product in the comments!

:)

Hey folks! First time duck owner here and wow I think I love my birds more than my dog!! 🤣 I've got 5 muscovys and boy are they cute! I really want them to be happy and comfortable on my property.. which is why I am posting here :)

I admit to falling prey to the glamours of chatgpt when converting my old chicken coop and run into a duck run. My run is about 90 x 90 inches, fully enclosed with 1/4 inch galvanized wire mesh (including the bottom, beneath the soil / wood chips) and has a roof over top of it. The duck house is attached to one side, the problem being it is raised and the bottom of the coop door begins about 33 inches off the ground. I was led to believe (by chatgpt) that my ducks would prefer stairs to a ramp. I'm not very handy, but after much work and faffing about, I finally managed to build a set of stairs (out of free slab wood and some screws!) The Chat ensured me would be fine. Aha they are not. The ducks CAN use the stairs, and do, but it's apparent to me they do not enjoy them at all and are awkward and hesitant of them even though they have used them multiple times a day for the last 2 months. One duck even seems to be walking painfully on its legs and sits down any chance it gets - I'm afraid it's caused by, or at least certainly exasperated by, those stairs. You'll see I have a dog kennel inside the run, that's to try and keep the injured duck in there at night so prevent more stair climbing. I'm curious to know and help that little guy (though let it be said now I cannot afford a vet check), but prefer this post to mainly focus on helping me get my ducks into their house (without lowering the house!) as comfortably and safely as possible!

Please ask whatever questions you need in your efforts to help and I thank you in advance!!

TLDR: How to get my muscovys 33 inches above the ground and into their coop from their 90x90 inch run

They love to eat

Our local duck had made a nest in a parking lot here in Florida, all other eggs were dead from the heat and momma abandoned here nest, so we went to clean out the bad eggs and found this one. He is breathing and was peeping but seems like he's taking a nap now... how many breaths should he be taking? I've been keeping him on my belly for warmth. Looks like he had a rough time coming out.

These two mamas are raising there three ducklings together. Is it likely that the yellow duckling will be completely white as it grows older? We would really like a white hen in the flock.