Aggressive biting duckling

[Tivona]

Is it only when you pick it up or handle it? If so I really wouldn't worry about the biting as long as it doesn't go on for more then a few weeks. Just being near them quietly now and then, and talking to them throughout the day will help them calm down and get used to you if it is fear related. I would personally only handle that one if it really needed to be moved. For my own ducklings, I know if they only see me when I have to clean/change water/add feed then they have no calm time to understand I am not a risk. I come and go and talk gentle to them off and on then leave. That way they don't get imprinted on me, needing me but learn I am not a threat as well. I know if I am busy and just clean and check and feed they seem to get the idea I am a killer who swoops in causing chaos not as someone who comes and goes without causing problems.

One batch I was busy and I had one duckling that I named Trouble. She drew blood from everyone in my family while she was young. Biting and kicking. Fortunately I only had to handle her for a few weeks till they could be in a better pen after getting some feathers to handle the cold. She mellowed out with age and turned into my best layer. She was also the smartest of my ducks. She would find every hole in the fence, get into everything and was a sassy boss with the other ducks. I believe that she just wanted things her own way and didn't like to be handled or bossed by anyone. I missed the quiet time with her batch as the weather was bad and I was busy and not feeling well and I think that was a lot of the issue with her. Even with the no calm time to get used to me she still mellowed with time and became a favorite of my family. Do try to avoid handling and giving opportunities to bite though. Patterns are a big thing with ducks.

 

[nayeli]

Yikes, I can't imagine... my ducks aren't super friendly but they have never tried to attack.. although I agree he/she may just be afraid if its only when they are trapped/held.

 

[sunsetkeys]

Spend tons of time with them. they are living in the house while they are small, in my bedroom at night. I have free roaming cats and dogs so its the safest til they get feather and can go outside. The other 2 of the 4, the Cayuga's are very social and talk and already beg for oats to be put in their water the other pekin is quite shy but the big one just seems to be so stand offish. I will stop trying to handle this one and see if things change. As of now he isn't bothering the other littles so as long as they stay in good company I will hope for the best, they pretty much snuggle up and sleep ontop of the biggun. Thank you for your reply and story, I'm hoping time will mellow this dude out as well!!

 

[mariehanson]

Hi just wanted to say that I have been in the same situation. One of my Campbells would bite anything she could reach when she was picked up. It's not so bad when she bites a finger but when she gets the thin skin on your neck or chest that sure hurts a lot! I gave up picking her up and pretty much concluded that she was always going to be this way. She was really scared of me and would run away and hide whenever I was near, quite heartbreaking really. However, 6 months later she has had a personality change and is now the most clingiest duck I've got, she follows me around the garden like my shadow and always wants to be under my feet. She still doesn't like being picked up but she's never bitten me for a long time. I rarely pick my ducks up now, maybe only once every couple months for a quick health inspection, this seemed to have improved their behaviour towards me.
Good luck!

 

[SparkleFlower]

one of my Muscovy ducklings did that to me too. I bought her (along with 2 other ducklings) when she was 2 weeks old. she constantly clamped her tiny bill on my fingers and ripped my skin off, so I just grabbed her bill when she tried to bite me. she tried to squirm away but I just held it for a few seconds, then I would let her go. after about a week she learned that biting was bad and stopped. she is now 7 months old and is so loving and cuddly. she acts like an adorably, feathery, huggable puppy!

 

[jdaly91215]

Have you tried hand feeding treats? My ducklings started out very wary, including biting when they were picked up. Now they love me and beg for treats. I do it while they're standing in their cage and then I also pick them up and plunk them on my lap for treats too. I use crushed up freeze dried meal worms (the hentastic treats). Now the only time they "bite" which is really just nibbling now, is when they think I have treats in my hand and nibble it looking for them. I'm not sure if this would work for a seriously aggressive duck, or it may just take longer, but I'd consider it. I also say "duck duck duck duck!" when I treat them in the brooder, and they come running I want to train them to follow me and come when called now so it's easier when they're older to move them around.

 

[gilbert2]

Sorry about the biting.

edited by staff

 

[DuckChick71694]

Sounds like a genuinely scared duck to me. Imagine if you were in the duck's position. New owner, scared, maybe feeling nervous and maybe feeling threatened when you get too close. It sounds to me as if the duck is trying to defend itself. Even though you aren't doing anything wrong in your eyes, the duck may not think the same way. Give it some time. When you pick the duck up, hold it close to your body instead of away so it feels safer. Talk to it, stroke its head and do this a few times a day. He should get used to getting held enough where he will start to calm down. He may still run from you when you get near him and some ducks never fully like being held, but eventually he should accept you enough to allow you to pick him up without biting. Make sure you don't move too fast towards him or raise your voice to loud as this will keep him scared.

 

[gilbert2]

My ducklings were purchased a little bit late--they were at least a week old. Too late to get any kind of imprint. Consequently, they are afraid of me. They don't bite, but they do run away when I need to pick them up (for their daily swim in my sink). I try to be slow with my movements, but they are simply afraid. It is possible that your little biter is afraid, too, aand is just trying to protect himself.