What is my duck doing?

smileylife

In the Brooder
Jan 1, 2016
52
3
43
Mexico
My duck has recent been doing this thing where she lays completely flat on the ground and quacks really low everything I walk by her. Why is she doing this? She's also been picking at my dogs sort of in an aggressive way when they just walk by her. She doesn't pick at me though, she's 4 months old (I got her beginning for November) if that helps?

 
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my baby! Is there something I have to do when she's like this? How long does this last?
 
It's a compliment really. She sees you as a member of her flock. It could subside a little when breeding season ends but she may continue.

Not sure if there is anything you should do. I have three hens and they mount each other, not that they can really do anything.
 
Aww!! I didn't know that! That's cute
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do all ducks lay eggs? And would it be after theyre 'in heat' (idk if it also counts for ducks). She's my first duck so I have no experience with this
 
She looks like a Pekin. If she is, she should lay about 140-220 eggs per year. Seeing as she has started this behavior she is getting close to laying. They normally start around 6 months if there is enough daylight (normally 14 hours). They normally lay consistently throughout the year except when molting and sometimes take a break during the winter.

If you haven't already you should change her to a layer feed or offer a source of calcium free choice. I have a bowl of oyster shell for mine. If she is an inside duck you might also think about giving her a nest area where she can lay her eggs.
 
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She is a pekin, and she's an indoor duck. She sleeps with my upstairs, I have a small cushion inside her small house. I live in Mexico and it's been super sunny lately and most of the time she's outside sunbathing. So I have to find food that has calcium for her? Ive had small parakeets and we used to give them this block of calcium that they could pick at. Do you think that could work for my duck? She loves to pick at everything. Thanks so much for the information and advice!!!
 
She is a pekin, and she's an indoor duck. She sleeps with my upstairs, I have a small cushion inside her small house. I live in Mexico and it's been super sunny lately and most of the time she's outside sunbathing. So I have to find food that has calcium for her? Ive had small parakeets and we used to give them this block of calcium that they could pick at. Do you think that could work for my duck? She loves to pick at everything. Thanks so much for the information and advice!!!
Not sure if the block like we use for parakeets would work for a duck but if you have a feed store or where you by feed for her they will have oyster shell it's pretty inexpensive and she also needs grit unless she is outside alot then she can get her own. What a sweet little girl you have, yep hormones are beginning to come alive.
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Put the oyster shell and grit in separate bowls and she'll use as needed.
 
You can also order oyster shell online. If you can't find it you can also give crushed up egg shell. She needs the calcium to form the egg shells when she starts laying. There are different health risks that can arise if she doesn't get enough.
 
One of my runners does this too. She is insistent that I pet her to the point she will not get out of my way when I enter the pen. :)

It is nice to hear I am accepted as one of the flock. She was mad at me in January- I traveled, and when I returned she gave me the cold shoulder.

She is back to normal now. Both her and her runner hen sister have taken a couple months off of laying here in south central WI. Days are getting longer. YEAH!
They seem to enjoy foraging time when the weather is warmer and the grass is showing. I have two welsh harlequin hens and they vary in laying- I get one or two eggs a day right now from them. Hoping to get back to full production (4 eggs a day) soon.

Your Pekin is pretty. Thanks for the shared video.
 

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