Duck Discipline?

[raccoonroom]

I have a trio of Welsh Harlequin ducklings that I've raised since hatch. They are four weeks old today.

They have always nibbled on my clothes or fingers as curious ducklings often do. I have tattoos and sometimes they try to "eat" the designs though they quickly realize it's not food and move on. Except one duckling.

Dizzy, my "diva" duckling, has always bit much harder and more often than her siblings. While her siblings nibble, Dizzy will pinch and yank if she can. I noticed the difference a week or so ago when I was swimming with them (they join us at the beach) and Dizzy was pinching very hard and trying for my face as we were on eye level with each other. Now she's pinching fingers whenever she feels like it.

I didn't think it was a dominance issue because she was so young. They also follow me everywhere and I was certain that I was the flock leader especially since they imprinted and freak if I leave them.

Is our flock dynamic changing? Is Dizzy being a diva or dictator... duck-tator? How can I reassert myself as the boss? I'm unfamiliar with duck discipline and would appreciate some advice!

Thanks

Photo of the diva

 

[Ratchnick]

Do you know genders?

 

[sourland]

Dizzy regards you as her equal and is trying to subordinate you. If she were mine, I would grab her head/bill and immobilize her body every time she tried to bite me.

 

[raccoonroom]

Do you know genders?

Yes, Dizzy is female and her siblings are female and male.

Chaos is the other female is a lap duck, no aggression at all, very calm and Kenny the male is the smallest of the three. He's playful and curious, but doesn't bite like Dizzy.

 

[raccoonroom]

Dizzy regards you as her equal and is trying to subordinate you. If she were mine, I would grab her head/bill and immobilize her body every time she tried to bite me.

Oh, so the pecking order is being established now. Is this because they're becoming teenagers?

I've tried holding her bill when she bites, but it doesn't seem to bother her at all. It could be because I rub their bills a lot, so maybe she's used to having her bill touched?

 

[Trisseh]

I have a very friendly, mouthy drakelet (that i inaccurately sexed early on!) that’s becoming a problem in much the same way now. He’s about 4 months old. He also bites and pinches HARD, especially my feet. He’s not trying to breed with my feet, lol, although some will try that, but he’s definitely dominant. What I found works well for him, since he’s being a jerk and is persistent, is any time he’s rude I “peck” him with my finger on his shoulder, much like another duck would. If he persists, he gets pinned with one hand or a knee (gently!) and “pecked” with the other hand for a bit until he stops struggling and sits quietly. When I let him up he always goes a little ways away and preens much like a cat that falls off a counter and goes “well I meant to do that.” Lol. I don’t feed him by hand anymore and he’s definitely improving. It just takes time and patience. not sure if it’ll be different for dizzy as she is female, but typical drake behaviour over here. Now for the most part, if I peck him, he’ll stop and take a few steps away. This hasn’t made him scared or resentful in the slightest, he’s just gaining some respect. Progress!

 

[Callender Girl]

Dizzy may be a diva, but she sure is a lovely one. And, I like your ducks' names. In retrospect, several of mine SHOULD have been named the same!

 

[Winston_the_runner]

Just wanted to stop by and say that those are some adorable ducks! They look so peaceful and happy

 

[Ratchnick]

Any time she pecks you just pin her head to the ground untill she submits. You have to do it every time though until she stops. This works well for my drakes. They learn after 3 or 4 times. After the first pin they will come up from behind and peck you once and run off, you have to chase and pin or they see it as a victory.

 

[raccoonroom]

Just wanted to stop by and say that those are some adorable ducks! They look so peaceful and happy

Dizzy can be sweet sometimes but she can also be quite the piranha!