Aggressive Drake!

[WaterfowlWierdo]

Hello, I have a Mallard drake that is getting very aggressive. I know this is normal spring behavior for a drake but he is getting violent and my mother comes back with welted arms when she feeds. I hand raised him two years ago and he was a house duck for a while, he was the sweetest little guy who imprinted on me.

SO...Does anyone have any tips on how to tame him back? I have heard of dunking their head in water til they are close to drowning to just show them you control their life, but it doesnt work on him

 

[Duckopolis]

I have the same situation... Maybe go with the positive reinforcement. If he is ever nice, give him a treat. When he is bad, look him in the eye and sternly say, No!

 

[WaterfowlWierdo]

Thankyou! I hate being mean to him...he is like my child!

 

[Finny]

Most drakes go through a phase like this. When your drakes starts to get agressive towards you, you need to hold him down on the ground by pushing down on his back with your hand until he stops squirming and then let him back up. This shows him you are dominant. I know it sounds harsh, but it is what male ducks do to eachother when they climb on eachothers backs. It establishes a pecking order.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know who told you to hold the drakes head under water till they have about drowned but That is cruel, and no telling how much water they are getting into their lungs. Please try the method Finny describes it's the way drakes speak to each other and hopefully will work with your drake. main thing is consistency. Have your mom carry a broom with her and when the drake comes at her she can sweep him away or put the broom between them to keep him at a distance.

 

[WaterfowlWierdo]

The dunking was a "backwoods" method for brutal roosters. I never could get myself do do it longer than a few seconds and I felt bad afterwards I will definitely tell my mom about a broom. I shall try the dominance thing today!

 

[MissusDee]

I gently push down on the drake's back with my foot (or you can use a hand). Not enough to hurt it, but to push it down. He will stop, at least for the time being.