Duck Biting

[JoshuaZXL]

Daffy is our Pekin Duck we have had him since 2017 of easter and he was fine at first but than he started biting our Feet and Hands but only those parts, I've started to theorize that he thinks they are other animals or something idk I just need to get this fixed so he can be around children again. I hate having to tell them that they can't pet him. Help!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Only duck? Drake/ female?

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I'm assuming he's a he from the pronouns you used?

I don't know if your Daffy was sweet before, but I have Muscovy drake that is very sweet but will only let me pet him/snuggle him on his terms. He'll try to bite me other times, especially if other ducks are around or have just shown up. He's kind of gone through stages of mean and nice.

I've never been able to really 'cure' him of it. I just try to pet him when I can. He really does have a heart of gold, he just says when I can touch him!

Maybe that's what your duck is doing. I don't know. Was he hand-raised?

 

[Cayuga momma]

Mine went through a biting stage too. It stopped after a couple of months and he is nicer now. I want to say maybe it's because of mating season, but mine did it around oct.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducks use their bill to communicate if you have ever watched your ducks they will nip someone of their flock to say back off or full out bite if they are annoyed. and yes Hormones do play a part. Single ducklings being raised by humans can be even more bity because they haven't learned their place in the pecking order. My drake that I raised was that way he was such a sweet boy until he became hormonal then he became bity and obnoxious. I had to get tough with him to get him to realize I was top duck over him. First of all I didn't give him the chance to bite me not putting my hands down around his bill,sometimes when we put our hand out to touch and if we have hand fed they will bite because they are expecting a treat. Biting the feet is another way they get out attention so always wear shoes that are closed in I have crocs that I wear out around my birds in summer I can get them wet and my feet are protected. My drake does like to nibble on them. I wear boots in winter. But they can bite other areas too so always be aware by reading them so you can be prepared to stop any aggression. A broom put between him and the person or a bucket or basket just something to make him keep his distance. Once he learns to respect your space. As they often remind others in their flock by nipping or biting then you may be able to pet him. But still maybe not . Main thing is when training is being consistent. Don't send mixed messages. Most ducks don't really like to be touched or held we just have to respect that in them.

 

[quackiemama]

Leonard bit me for the 1st time yesterday. Sucker left a bruise on my arm. I am attributing his biting to his hormones. He is starting to really strut his stuff. I had to sit and hold him down for like 3 minutes until he finally gave in. Then he was nice again. For now........

 

[chickens really]

He is getting more aggressive as he matures each breeding season. He is a Drake with hormones.

 

[Saigey]

These darn teenage boy ducks and their hormones.

 

[Ratchnick]

Don't fool yourself, your duck knows exactly what he is doing. Every duck in the pecking order gets the occasional bite except the top duck. Guess where that puts you?

 

[Saigey]

Don't fool yourself, your duck knows exactly what he is doing. Every duck in the pecking order gets the occasional bite except the top duck. Guess where that puts you?

It puts me with my hands away from the cage when he's feeling cranky while being more observant and attentive to their body language in general. They have less communication tools than humans do. It's not like I'm mad at him. We can all be salty sometimes.