Behavior?

[Bronwyn]

So I got two Pekins and two Cayugas in December, all (supposed to be) females. They are almost nine weeks old.

One of my Pekins does this thing every once in a while where she vibrates her chest and throat and then juts her head forward over my arm if I go to pet her. I know she's communicating something, but I don't know what. Any ideas? Also, I like to turn over logs and rocks for them so they can find more slugs and snails. They always nibble on me when I crouch down. Are they being affectionate, or just looking for food in the folds of my clothes?

 

[Amiga]

I think she's responding in kind when she sticks her head over your arm.

The nibbling is a combo, seems to me, of foraging instinct and positive attention.

People will write about dominance, but my feeling is that they are comfortable around you.

Also seems to me that with ducks, affection and mating are tightly linked, and that's just the way they are. And flock dynamics in my flock are much more sophisticated than I ever thought possible. I love to just watch them.