Aggressive or normal behavior

Apr 3, 2024
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These are my two 4 mo old pekins. We've had them since they were 2 days old and they have always gotten along just fine. I'm assuming that they are both males well actually, just because the majority of people on a Facebook post said that to be honest, but neither of them have a real "quak" or drake feather. But I do believe my mother-in-law fed them molded bread and I read that that could cause voice issues. So thought that may be why. Anyhow, they got in the pool today and one started biting the other ones neck. At one point he did try to mount but only for a second. Do they both look like males to everyone here? Could this be an attempt at mating? Like I said, I've never seen them act this way before. Also, their pool is a much smaller wading pool and they only use it one at a time. This pool is actually my daughter's that they snuck into.
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I do not see a distinguished drake curl on either of the ducks, and you said you cannot see it either. That is the main way to tell if a duck is male or female through pictures when they are sucks that do not have different colors depending on the sex.

Also, their high voices are an indicator of them being female. I have never had any poultry have their voice be changed by moldy bread. And if it was changed, it wouldn't be long lasting I'm sure.

I believe you have 2 females. One of the females are trying to show dominance and show the other who is boss. This is normal, definitely when you don't have a male duck around, so one of the females are on the top of the pecking order.
 
I do not see a distinguished drake curl on either of the ducks, and you said you cannot see it either. That is the main way to tell if a duck is male or female through pictures when they are sucks that do not have different colors depending on the sex.

I believe you have 2 females. One of the females are trying to show dominance and show the other who is boss. This is normal, definitely when you don't have a male duck around, so one of the females are on the top of the pecking order.
Would they have the feather at 4 mos? They do not have one. They were born Valentine's Day. So not even 4 mos yet. Would they have their quack at this age? I Was trying to get another video of them "quacking" But wouldn't you know it? The ducks that are always noisy would not make a sound!!
 
In the video I'm only hearing male sounds and I see the start of a curled tail feather in both pictures.

curl.jpg

Same sex mounting can be a way to display dominance. Male drakes are also can be extremely horny, especially during the mating season and will try and mate with anything the can. Do you have chickens? If you do, you will need to keep the drakes separate from them to prevent the drakes from severely injuring them if they attempt to mate them.

How long ago was the moldy bread given? It won't change their voice, but the mold can make them very sick. Bread should also be avoided because if too much is eaten it can give them a condition called angel wing. If this was a few weeks ago, I wouldn't worry.
 
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Would they have the feather at 4 mos? They do not have one. They were born Valentine's Day. So not even 4 mos yet. Would they have their quack at this age? I Was trying to get another video of them "quacking" But wouldn't you know it? The ducks that are always noisy would not make a sound!!
If they have all their adult plumage then they should have their drake curl if they are male.

The drake curl grows in at 8-12 weeks of age, when their adult plumage is fully grown in.
 
In the video I'm only hearing male sounds and I see the start of a curled tail feather in both pictures.

View attachment 3850275

Same sex mounting can be a way to display dominance. Male drakes are also can be extremely horny, especially during the mating season and will try and mate with anything the can. Do you have chickens? If you do, you will need to keep the drakes separate from them to prevent the drakes from severely injuring them if they attempt to mate them.

How long ago was the moldy bread given? It won't change their voice, but the mold can make them very sick. Bread should also be avoided because if too much is eaten it can give them a condition called angel wing. If this was a few weeks ago, I wouldn't worry.
Makes sense bc one duck in particular even pushes on the turkey in the same way. I had thought the turkey was male but now think otherwise. They are same age but turkey has never strut or gobbled. It will fan it's tail and fluff up but not strut. Nor have I seen his snood droop. I'm attaching a pic to see if you can tell if turkey is actually female.

I know about the moldy bread and now everyone in the family does as well. It was at least a month again and wasn't much. I also knew Abt the ordeal with hens and we keep them separated for sure.
 

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I also agree with SilverBirds. That IS a drake feather. Not all drake feathers do the full curl, some just a half curl. And I too only hear drake sounds in the video. If they’re both making the same sounds, they’re both drakes.
Makes sense bc one duck in particular even pushes on the turkey in the same way. I had thought the turkey was male but now think otherwise. They are same age but turkey has never strut or gobbled. It will fan its tail and fluff up but not strut. Nor have I seen his snood droop. I'm attaching a pic to see if you can tell if turkey is actually female.

I know about the moldy bread and now everyone in the family does as well. It was at least a month again and wasn't much. I also knew Abt the ordeal with hens and we keep them separated for sure.
I’d say she’s female.
 
Makes sense bc one duck in particular even pushes on the turkey in the same way. I had thought the turkey was male but now think otherwise. They are same age but turkey has never strut or gobbled. It will fan it's tail and fluff up but not strut. Nor have I seen his snood droop. I'm attaching a pic to see if you can tell if turkey is actually female.

I know about the moldy bread and now everyone in the family does as well. It was at least a month again and wasn't much. I also knew Abt the ordeal with hens and we keep them separated for sure.
I don't know much about turkeys but I'd guess female.
 

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