Do Ducks Bite to Show Affection?

[Little Byrd]

My ducks started biting around 3 weeks old. I remember the first time Choco bit me I was feeding him mealworms and he accidentally bit my finger then immediately backed away like he knew he did something wrong.

Now that they are older, theyre not just biting me by accident anymore. When I try to give them a fresh worm from my garden they will bite every place on my hand except where the worm is...No way their beak-eye coordination is that bad! Lol They also bite my hands when I open their coop or refill their water, bite at my feet and ankles, peck at my legs, and one got on my lap and bit me on the face.

The bites vary in degree. Sometimes its just a little nibble that tickles, and sometimes it's hard enough to be unpleasant but doesn't necessarily hurt. Is this just their way of communicating or showing affection kind of like how a dog licks?

EDIT: I hand raised them from 2 days old. They eat out of my hand and occasionally let me pet them, so I'm pretty sure theyre not biting because they hate me and I dont sense any aggression. Just curious why they bite and if it's normal.

 

[Pork Pie]

I'm sure the duck peeps will give you specific advice, but i would generally be cautious when considering the emotional makeup of humans to that most other organisms.

Cheers
CT

 

[Little Byrd]

I'm sure the duck peeps will give you specific advice, but i would generally be cautious when considering the emotional makeup of humans to that most other organisms. 

Cheers
CT

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you wrote.

 

[Pork Pie]

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you wrote.

Sorry, what i am suggesting is that i would very much doubt that ducks share our emotions, so terms such as affection etc are not really appropriate.

CT

 

[Amiga]

Ducks do seem to have what I would consider emotions - and as with us humans, a bit of it is hormone-influenced.

Sounds like these are drakes (boys).

Drakes do flirt with ducks by biting on them, and actually if they can get a bill full of feathers, then sometimes use that grip to hold the duck while they climb on top.

Ducks can seem to treat others, regardless of the species, as other ducks. So they may be feeling - shall we say - romantically inclined toward you. It's not the worst thing, in my opinion. You just need to be careful not to get hurt.

 

[Little Byrd]

Sounds like these are drakes (boys).

I have 2 males, 2 females and they all do this except my oldest male, Choco.

 

[buff goose guy]

Quote: Actually the front of the ducks brain allows it to have some thoughts on it survival so they can think for themselves and there emotions are tied into that i believe.

 

[Melstrange]

Sorry, what i am suggesting is that i would very much doubt that ducks share our emotions, so terms such as affection etc are not really appropriate.

CT

Wrong, they are very affectionate. And yes, they consider you one of the flock, and are attempting to preen you like they do to their duckie friends

 

[Toad9000]

I'm not sure, this is my first time ever raising ducks. But I will say, my favorite drake and best cuddler has recently started lightly chewing on me quite a bit. He's about 4 months old, also handraised and as part of the daily routine he (and the other ducks) have gotten picked up and cuddled after breakfast and dinner every day. Horse, the drake in question, will sometimes rest his head on my shoulder or if he wants his bill rubbed he'll bury it in my hand until I give him what he wants. But within the past couple days when I try to rub his bill be starts very lightly chewing my fingers. He doesn't seem distressed at all. So I'm inclined to think he's either politely telling me he doesn't want bill rubs right now OR possibly he's showing me affection.