attack duck

[daisysducks]

Dies he nip the other ducks or is he protective? This is my first year with ducks and so I can offer only what I have seen. We have 13 ducks, 4 male ducks. They are not as easily mollified as my females. One is very feisty when handled.
When I watch the flock he is the one who is extra vigilant letting others eat while he stands and watches. He also has a limp he was born with.
I don’t know if this will work but in the warmer months when I would sit outside with treats, they all came up to me and would forage around me or follow me in the yard.
It may take soending time being there with the flock.
Without knowing your set-up or availability this may be a ridiculous suggestion.
I know though that all of my ducks, if they see me two stories up out on the deck, they run over to the steps where I would come down and sit.
Now they make a big noise if I don’t come down. Since it is winter and I am working, I am often just stepping out to see what they are up to and check on them.
You could also separate that duck from the flock and bring it inside for a while. I say this bc I recently did this with two makes bc they had sores on their feet. They fussed for about a half hour but after a day of seeing me. Getting treats from only me. They seemed less reactive. And they are inseparable now, like they have bonded over a mutual experience. And most of their time indoors was spent floating in our bath tub. So funny to watch them walk around together now.
There maybe attack ducks , but it may be only a matter of exposure to people and their protective instincr.
It may also be a good thing that they are protective of the flock outside and it’s okay to leave it that way.

thank you so so much, this was very helpful. he seems to be pretty protective of the others he holds guard while they walk past me and he's always trying to block me from getting them.
during the summer and spring through fall everyday I would go outside and sit with them, feed them treats, watch them swim, play with them, etc. they were all very adjusted to me and the family, they seemed to have close bond with us and trusted us as they would run up to us and come sit and forage around us.
because of the colder months as well as school and work we don't spend as much time with them and most of the time its letting them out of their house feeding and watering them, bringing them snacks and just stepping out to check on them and see what they're doing but then going back in the house until its time to put them away.
going with what you mentioned if they see us in the back door or windows looking out to the backyard they seem to goo closer to that window/door and make all kinds of noise.
maybe I could try bringing them in the house and trying to bond with them more as well as going out to see them more often? maybe the just miss the attention?

 

[Kaw]

thank you so so much, this was very helpful. he seems to be pretty protective of the others he holds guard while they walk past me and he's always trying to block me from getting them.
during the summer and spring through fall everyday I would go outside and sit with them, feed them treats, watch them swim, play with them, etc. they were all very adjusted to me and the family, they seemed to have close bond with us and trusted us as they would run up to us and come sit and forage around us.
because of the colder months as well as school and work we don't spend as much time with them and most of the time its letting them out of their house feeding and watering them, bringing them snacks and just stepping out to check on them and see what they're doing but then going back in the house until its time to put them away.
going with what you mentioned if they see us in the back door or windows looking out to the backyard they seem to goo closer to that window/door and make all kinds of noise.
maybe I could try bringing them in the house and trying to bond with them more as well as going out to see them more often? maybe the just miss the attention?

 

[Kaw]

If you do bring them in please post if you make any headway.
I notice as our hatchlings grow older they are more skittish (we have Indian Runner Ducks—notoriously skittish.)
The more we spend time and handle them, the less reactive they are, but they quickly become more sensitive the less time we spend. Not like a dog who waits for you.
They are prey animals and it‘s all about self preservation.
With that in mind, the other day I saw them all at the fence looking at a deer eating on the other side.
It was so cute, but it made me think about how they instinctively know they are safe from the deer.
We are dealing with sores on most of our duck‘s feet and we don‘t know the cause. It means that every night we pick each one up to spray their feet. I see our males, particularly our most mature male keeping watch over his girls and trying to block us, but still he runs over when we come out with treats (peas or fly grubs).
I did read recently adult ducks will bond with to you but need individual time (reading about pet ducks). Groups whether ducklings or adults will bond to each other.
I don‘t know if it is correct, but my gut says if you bring your male in, bring a female too. It gives him a job and both may feel more comfortable. And yet bringing in just the male may help him bond to you. Even if more skittish outside he will know you and it may be easier.
It may also be different in the summer when you can spend more time outdoors again.
Please post if you find a way to make some progress.
Best wishes!!

 

[daisysducks]

If you do bring them in please post if you make any headway.
I notice as our hatchlings grow older they are more skittish (we have Indian Runner Ducks—notoriously skittish.)
The more we spend time and handle them, the less reactive they are, but they quickly become more sensitive the less time we spend. Not like a dog who waits for you.
They are prey animals and it‘s all about self preservation.
With that in mind, the other day I saw them all at the fence looking at a deer eating on the other side.
It was so cute, but it made me think about how they instinctively know they were safe from the deer.
We are dealing with sores on most of our duck‘s feet and we don‘t know the cause. It means that every night we pick each one up to spray their feet. I see our males, particularly our most mature male keeping watch over his girls and trying to block us, but still he runs over when we come out with treats (peas or fly grubs).
I did read recently adult ducks will bond with to you but need individual time (reading about pet ducks). Groups whether ducklings or adults will bond to each other.
I don‘t know if it is correct, but my gut says if you bring your male in, bring a female too. It gives him a job and both may feel more comfortable. And yet bringing in just the male may help him bond to you. Even if more skittish outside he will know you and it may be easier.
It may also be different in the summer when you can spend more time outdoors again.
Please post if you find a way to make some progress.
Best wishes!!

thank you! i think in the warmer months it’ll definitely be better and easier because i’ll be around them more.

 

[Newfowler1]

haha it wasn’t me it was my friend

It could be worse, he could have been called Karen