Crazy Ducks

[PagosaMark]

I have 2 Pekin Ducks closing in on 2 years old..Pretty sure they are a pair. The male(?)Desi, had a drake curl when younger, but his tail is much more vertical than Lucy's now. He is constantly mounting up and he quacks and successfully fought off a coyote. Lucy, smaller neck, flat tail, merps not quacks. Pretty sure a female, but never seen an egg? Any insight?

Also, it's getting cold, and I don't lock them in their house because Desi(Male?) came out with a bloody neck in the morning. I made them a shelter under the deck with some straw, wind break, and they wouldn't even go in without a back door(escape route I assume) but I am worried about what happens if it get's really cold. I am in Southern Colorado, Pagosa Springs, and it can get COLD! Advice?

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Pictures of your ducks - and even a video - would really help us to determine if they are really a male-female pair : from the details you are giving here, I have some doubts about that...

A drake doesn't quack : his voice is raspy, frog-like... actually sounds kind of broken...

A duck hen does quack; so, if you have a duck that quacks, she is a girl.

► Weird question, but given Desi mounts Lucy : have you ever seen his(?) penis?

Also, it's getting cold, and I don't lock them in their house because Desi(Male?) came out with a bloody neck in the morning. I made them a shelter under the deck with some straw, wind break, and they wouldn't even go in without a back door(escape route I assume) but I am worried about what happens if it get's really cold. I am in Southern Colorado, Pagosa Springs, and it can get COLD! Advice?

I have searched about cold temperatures in Southern Colorado, Pagosa Springs...
Can you confirm it is currently around 5 °F at most?

If so, honestly, what bothers me the most is NOT the fact your ducks don't go into their shelter during the nights : it is, instead, what has caused Desi to get out of his shelter with a bloody neck that is worrying...

► Could you post pictures, so we can give you some advices on what to do, and how to keep your ducks sheltered from the elements during the nights?
(...Pictures of Desi's neck, his usual house, and his new shelter...?)

► Do your ducks have currently access to a pond, or even a pool?
Because you would then need to keep them away from it AT LEAST during the nights, so the water doesn't freeze around them!

 

[PagosaMark]

Hi.

Pictures of your ducks - and even a video - would really help us to determine if they are really a male-female pair : from the details you are giving here, I have some doubts about that...

A drake doesn't quack : his voice is raspy, frog-like... actually sounds kind of broken...

A duck hen does quack; so, if you have a duck that quacks, she is a girl.

► Weird question, but given Desi mounts Lucy : have you ever seen his(?) penis?



I have searched about cold temperatures in Southern Colorado, Pagosa Springs...
Can you confirm it is currently around 5 °F at most?

If so, honestly, what bothers me the most is NOT the fact your ducks don't go into their shelter during the nights : it is, instead, what has caused Desi to get out of his shelter with a bloody neck that is worrying...

► Could you post pictures, so we can give you some advices on what to do, and how to keep your ducks sheltered from the elements during the nights?
(...Pictures of Desi's neck, his usual house, and his new shelter...?)

► Do your ducks have currently access to a pond, or even a pool?
Because you would then need to keep them away from it AT LEAST during the nights, so the water doesn't freeze around them!

1. Desi w bloody neck. 2,3. Desi on the mount. 4. I live on the river. Here's Lucy going for a swim, It's her private swimming hole. Desi is not allowed. I think they're down on the river I don't see them, so sorry I can't get a video for their voices. Oh Lucy is the nest builder as well.

 

[PagosaMark]

1. Desi w bloody neck. 2,3. Desi on the mount. 4. I live on the river. Here's Lucy going for a swim, It's her private swimming hole. Desi is not allowed. I think they're down on the river I don't see them, so sorry I can't get a video for their voices. Oh Lucy is the nest builder as well.

They are locked in my 10' fenced yard at night.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

1. Desi w bloody neck.

Oh my God... poor boy!
Do you know what happened?!

I don't think even a big rat would do that : they tend to let ducks alone...
...looks like a weasel attack instead?

Desi on the mount.

Sometimes, girls mount other girls...
...and it is rare, but if a duck hen's hormones are out of balance, she can develop a curl on her tail (and stop laying).

We really only can be sure of their gender by hearing their voice - I still have doubts, honestly...

4. I live on the river.

This river is so cute...!!

Desi is not allowed.

He is not...?
...Does he know that?

I think they're down on the river I don't see them, so sorry I can't get a video for their voices.

Yeah... they are never where you need them!!
Ah, ah, ah!

Oh Lucy is the nest builder as well.

Yep : this is a duck hen's beahviour alright!

Still, that's weird she is not laying; but perharps you just never found the eggs?
A predator could steal them...