Do all drakes make this noise?

[Miss Lydia]

First time I saw my Runner drake do the whistle I thought there was something seriously wrong with him never having A Mallard derived drake before.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

First time I saw my Runner drake do the whistle I thought there was something seriously wrong with him never having A Mallard derived drake before.

My boys are always do a whistle followed by a grunt, I've never heard them do either separately and I don't think they ever do. They don't only do it at mating times either, they do it whenever my grandson or his dad come into the garden, usually they run around in small circles, puffing their feathers, then do a more exaggerated movement like that in the ops second video whilst whistling and grunting - I assume they are competing at being the most handsome etc?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Lol they sure are funny characters .

 

[Anna Ranieri]

That would be a good idea sorry to the OP for taking over the thread I got carried away

I hope op doesn't mind, personally I like when threads veer off in different directions and I get to learn so much more.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I expect an interesting spring as my 3 drake brothers mature, and sort it all out. We butchered their father last fall because of chicken aggression. So I'm starting out new with the 3 Stooges.

I have to keep a close eye on my ducks with the lower ranking chickens, everyone seems to pick on them and the second lowest picks on the lowest ranking, and the ducks are no exception, not just the drakes though, the alpha female is worse she goes for all my chickens, except the alpha chicken. My alpha duck is smaller than all bar one of my birds but she won't back down and all four of my ducks are terrible for ganging up on the lower ranker. I've been following a structured training regime given to me by an experienced duck expert, its slow going but is working well, I am now at the stage of being able to give a one word order and all the ducks will stop in their tracks, however the boys will try and push it though, they stop but then they'll change direction and try sneak round the back of me, but when I give the order again they always stop. They seem to be worse at night when they are tired so I just put them to bed and so far they wake up in a better mood. The only one who doesn't get any bother from them is my alpha chicken, everyone is scared of her and none dare mess with her.
I've been told drakes change in personality when in mating season, I really hope it doesn't ruin the bond my drakes have with each other. They have been together since a few weeks old and have always been inseparable, a part from sometimes using different pools, they do everything together and stick together always, so far they have never had a fight, never squabble or argue and are so in tune with each other they seem as though they know what the other is thinking. Will be so sad if this changes.

 

[JedJackson]

Yes, most if not all drakes do it. And not just mallards or domestic ducks. I've seen ring necks, wigeons, gadwalls, and other species do it, too, in the wild.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope it doesn't change for your drakes either @Anna Ranieri but those hormones can really mess up a relationship. How many drakes and females do you have again? I know you said once but memory eludes me.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I hope it doesn't change for your drakes either @Anna Ranieri but those hormones can really mess up a relationship. How many drakes and females do you have again? I know you said once but memory eludes me.

I know what you mean about the hormones, two of my chickens were inseparable, did everything together etc - even laid their first eggs together, then about 3/4 days into first laying, they began to change, they no longer sit on my lap where as they used to do so everyday and sometimes would nap on my lap, they had a fight, now the higher ranking of the two constantly chase the other away from treats, pecks her for no reason and wont allow her to sit or sleep in their old haunts, just about wont let her do anything, in fact if you saw them now you would never believe they used to be bff's. I had read they often change once they start laying but usually for the better but not mine
I have two Runner drakes and two Khaki Campbell x Runner females - and yes I know all about the ratio etc but my girls come from a two drake two hen flock, plus where I am ducks are often sold and kept as pairs and I'm hoping them having come from paired parents will make a difference, so far so good

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope so too.
As for your hens if you only have 2 maybe think of adding a few more. That may help with dominance. And watch your drakes that the hens[chickens] don't start looking like a sexual target.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I hope so too.
As for your hens if you only have 2 maybe think of adding a few more. That may help with dominance. And watch your drakes that the hens[chickens] don't start looking like a sexual target.

I have four chickens, all female and the four ducks (2 of which are drakes). Thanks for the heads up, however I am already aware of the posibilities and dangers and I am keeping a close eye on them - so far so good