Duck body language?

[dbolak]

A new question on body language. I have a duck who was injured and we had to stick up her neck/crop area. We have had her inside in a bathtub so she can heal and be safe. We go in and and visit regularly. When we do we pet her. She has begun to drop her wings on her side slightly, lowering her head and making soft noises as we pet her. She seems to really like being stroked and spoken to. She also goes down to a sitting position. Bending her legs and basically sitting down.

Also, outside she is very loud when she sees us at the back door or we step outside. Will anything make her a little quieter? We only have 1/2 acre and so I don't want the neighbors to complain. I had three more ducks but lost them to a Bobcat attack. Would a drake help her be quieter? More ducks? Please help with suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[m.kitchengirl]

It sounds like she likes the attention. If she is an only duck I am sure she would be happier (and much quieter) with another duck or two around. I would be wary of adding a drake if she is your only duck. He may "overuse" her. She would probably be THRILLED to have another lady friend, or two, to hang with.
Best of luck to you.

 

[dbolak]

Thanks so much. I was considering getting another two ducks this spring. Ducklings are much easier to get. Do you think she would be too rough on them? They would not join her until feathered.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

If you keep them near her, but separated (I brooded my ducklings in a small pen inside the duck pen for a few weeks) from them she may adjust more easily to the new ducklings.
That is my advice, but someone with more experience may have better wisdom on the subject.
Good luck! Ducklings are such fun. I placed an order for 3 new ladies yesterday with a fellow BYCer. Very exciting.

 

[PoultryPower]

My male pekin does the head bob, but not to the side, whenever he see's people or animals. I think I read that it's how ducks acknowledge each others presence. Is that true?

 

[jiszmo]

I found this thread while trying to search duck body language to try to understand what it means when ducks walk sideways. I was watching my brothers ducks for a month and noticed that they often turn their heads sideways, and walk sideways, particularly when they expect to be fed, or when trying to get human attention.