Baby Drake Nibble/Biting?

[CrzMldOwnr]

Just wanted to ask about my pet mallard drake. I have helped and raised alot of wild birds aswell as parrots etc. This is my first waterfowl. He got abandoned by his mother at a few weeks and I have taken care of him ever since.

Hes a spoiled brat he uses our salt water pool as his pond and has duck food, fresh salads and mealworms constantly. He is to much fun!

This forum has been a great help!

He is about 5 months old now and is getting his male plumage and is a great duck. Hes very affectionate etc. That being said he seems to constantly bite nibble on you if you are in reach. Hands arms legs etc nonstop. He doesn't bite real hard but its just 24/7. You can pet him and hold him on your lap etc hes not mean but he just keeps doing it? Is this normal behavior? If you wanna pet him he will bite on one hand while you pet with the other. He doesnt run etc and likes spending time with me but just nibbles all the time. Sometimes its real soft other times its a pretty good pinch that leaves a red spot.

Also if you are in pool with him he will sometimes go for your face and bite. Is this normal? I have never scolded him etc for it but he just does it all the time. He also likes to sit on your shoulder and he will just go through your hair and bite my ear nonstop lol. I have just learned not to get my face in his unless I want my nose or lip pecked lol.

Is this just an affection thing or will it get worse as it goes on?

Thanks

 

[tmarr]

My Pekins have started to do that when I go out to see them. They used to be scared that I'd pick them up but once they knew I wouldn't they come waddling over and nibble all round! In my case it's definitely affection and its lovely But I wouldn't let them hurt me or go near my face, maybe the little rascal needs to know his boundaries, perhaps with the help of a few treats! He sounds like quite the character!

 

[Rudies Roost]

My 2 adult drakes are like this. As soon as you walk "up" the garden, they chase you and nibble the back of your legs whilst getting under your feet, I don't know how they haven't got damaged feet or legs, they get trodden on so much. In my case, I'm pretty certain it's not affection. They are so annoying, I've tried everything to stop this behaviour. I have tried dominating them etc but nothing works. They run my Rooster around too! The hens don't stand for them though so they keep their distance from them. The only thing that sometimes works is shouting at them, I must sound like a wailing banshee, Lord knows what my neighbours think but they seem to get the message after a good shout. Sorry I can't be of more help but I'd try to curb your drakes behaviour as soon as possible or you'll end up with brats like mine.

 

[CrzMldOwnr]

What do you do to them to try and get them to stop the biting?

 

[Ravynscroft]

Sounds like you're actually dealing with more than one issue, actually... ducks imprint, and while that makes them much easier to care for and handle, it can become a problem later on if they do not have other ducks to to live with... especially drakes and no females around...
The nibbling is affectionate, but definitely watch your face and eyes because whatever is close to them is fair game, lol... being a lone drake, he will be more demanding of attention than if he had company of other ducks... also, at 5 months he is about to/or is getting sexually mature... if there aren't any female ducks around, being imprinted he will look to you as a mate source... as the other poster said, their drakes chase them and grab their pantleg... this is not aggression but part of their mating behavior...
The only way to really stop him is to get him some females so he can do what a drake does...

 

[Rudies Roost]

Sounds like you're actually dealing with more than one issue, actually... ducks imprint, and while that makes them much easier to care for and handle, it can become a problem later on if they do not have other ducks to to live with... especially drakes and no females around...
The nibbling is affectionate, but definitely watch your face and eyes because whatever is close to them is fair game, lol... being a lone drake, he will be more demanding of attention than if he had company of other ducks... also, at 5 months he is about to/or is getting sexually mature... if there aren't any female ducks around, being imprinted he will look to you as a mate source... as the other poster said, their drakes chase them and grab their pantleg... this is not aggression but part of their mating behavior...
The only way to really stop him is to get him some females so he can do what a drake does...

Do you think this is why my 2 drakes nibble at my trousers? They do it to men/women/kids...they're not fussed! They do have 3 females with them who they mate when they wish. I thought it was aggression but if you think it may be affection then I may look at them differently. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you think this is why my 2 drakes nibble at my trousers? They do it to men/women/kids...they're not fussed! They do have 3 females with them who they mate when they wish. I thought it was aggression but if you think it may be affection then I may look at them differently. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

In your case it can be both, they want you as part of the harem and they also feel the need to protect their girls. How about a spray bottle you can carry along when you go out and as soon as you see them coming wham hit the with the water right in the face. it will be a surprise and may send the message home you are tired of their behavior. And ducks feet and legs are easily injured so be careful where you walk. And remember get them before they get you. I also used the broom with my drake when i would go into their area here he'd come so i'd carry the broom put it out in front and not let him get any closer used it to sweep him out of the way too when he wouldn't take no for an answer.

 

[tmarr]

Too funny, I have that vision now !! Must make sure I have a broom handy!

 

[JadeComputerGal]

What do you do to them to try and get them to stop the biting?

You're probably going to have to take some time for corrections now that he's that old. That's a behavior that needs to be addressed as soon as it starts, when they're very young. Not at all putting you down because I'm guilty of letting it go on longer than I should with some. The nibbling is so cute when they're little, but it can hurt once they're grown, especially if they bite a young child whose skin isn't as tough as ours.

Miss Lydia's suggestion of a quick spritz in the face is a good one. Sounds counter-intuitive since ducks like water but the sudden action startles them. What I do is gently hold the bill closed right at the tip and sternly say, "NO!" If they go into an obsessive kind of thing where you can't get their attention, you can sit down with your legs together and put them on their back in your lap lengthwise so they rest between your legs, put one hand on their belly, and keep him there until he stops fighting. If he tries to bite, you can put one hand on his belly and hold his bill with your other hand and say no. You only need to do the bill-holding for 2-3 seconds each time they try to bite. You're not trying to torture it, just trying to draw its attention to what the unacceptable behavior is.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Too funny, I have that vision now !! Must make sure I have a broom handy!

works great.