Duck behavior & question (again)

[nao57]

So...something interesting happened yesterday to get feedback on. It was mostly pretty interesting to observe, although parts were stressful.


For starters, my adult ducks are watching the back kitchen window of the house now, to see when I'm coming out to feed them. This surprised me that they can be this smart. And its not a big window; maybe about 2 feet by 3 feet in viewable range (one of those smaller older windows.) The first time this happened, I thought maybe it was a coincidence. But its happened a few times now when I go by that window or glance out of it, and all of the ducks get up at once to get closer to the house.

(LOL.)


OK the other thing that happened, is that it was the first day I had the runner ducklings in the back yard. And part of the experiment was to see how they'd react to the other ducks, and also let them see what its like outside. (And hopefully also make them a bit happier and calm them down.)

This did not work.

They freaked out for the first 40 minutes. Then they sort of calmed down. (But after I brought them inside, the whole rest of the day they were way more stressed out than usual.)

Also the funny thing was that the one runner duck that I have that is a male tried to eat them. (I didn't let this happen. And they are OK.) The pekings did not try to eat them. But after seeing that one runner wanting to eat them this made me not even let the others have a chance to do so.

The other adult ducks, especially the female duck seemed very curious about the ducklings. (She didn't try to eat them, but I'm not sure what she thought. She had gotten close but then I wouldn't let her get closer.)

It was interesting to see their reactions (But I wouldn't risk them getting close again. And I'm lucky I chaperoned the duck prison visitation rights for the inmates.)

But it had me curious to ask also...

Are ducks that have been broody before more likely to not harm other ducklings even if they aren't theirs? (And does it even matter if they are no longer broody?)

Are male ducks more (or chickens) more likely to want to eat ducklings or chicks than female ducks, etc? Or does it matter?)

Curious if you think there's a big difference, or even a partial difference (some difference?)?

Thanks.

 

[Texag87]

My sweet Runner drake goes crazy when he can get to his children. This week he bit one hard through the fence. The ducklings have been outside see no touch for 4 weeks now. I do not think he will ever accept them.

 

[nao57]

My sweet Runner drake goes crazy when he can get to his children. This week he bit one hard through the fence. The ducklings have been outside see no touch for 4 weeks now. I do not think he will ever accept them.

:O :O

Is this breed full of bullies then?

I had no idea they were like this.

Infanticider ducks?

Its so weird too because my adult runner comes up to me more than the other ducks do. So I had no idea he'd be like this.

 

[Flyinbolts]

drakes have a tendency to attack ducklings. This is either something that will recede as they get used to them or they will always hold a grudge against any non-hatchmate that is around.
First suggestion is separate but visible areas where they can talk and see eachother. Do it for a week and try the supervised meet again. Second suggestion is make sure they're at least 5 weeks before they get near the drake as that will give them something in terms of ability and knowledge/protection.


Also on your comment - my ducks hear me turn on the hose and know when it's time to get out and in because I fill pools in the morning and water in the evening. I can open the front door and my ducks are quacking. They. Are. Not. Stupid.
They are indeed one of the most intelligent creatures I've ever had as a pet. I swear some of mine know their names.

 

[nao57]

drakes have a tendency to attack ducklings. This is either something that will recede as they get used to them or they will always hold a grudge against any non-hatchmate that is around.
First suggestion is separate but visible areas where they can talk and see eachother. Do it for a week and try the supervised meet again. Second suggestion is make sure they're at least 5 weeks before they get near the drake as that will give them something in terms of ability and knowledge/protection.


Also on your comment - my ducks hear me turn on the hose and know when it's time to get out and in because I fill pools in the morning and water in the evening. I can open the front door and my ducks are quacking. They. Are. Not. Stupid.
They are indeed one of the most intelligent creatures I've ever had as a pet. I swear some of mine know their names.

Thank you very much! Very interesting.

Looking forward to more of your observations in the future.