duck signals

[parksy93]

Hello there, I'm as new to this site as I am to owning ducks. So my apologies if this is a big ask. I'd like some information on understanding my ducklings.

I have 2 cayuga ducklings. I bought them at three week old and as of yesterday they're now a full month and growing fast.

They've grown pretty close to me in the week. So much so that the second I get them out they'll cry until I let them lay on me. In fact as I write this the little guys are fast asleep on my chest but here's my question. I've never cared for ducks before or any poultry actually. (not to worry I know enough to keep them safe, fed and warm) but I've noticed they do crazy little things all the time. Nibbling, standing up as tall as they can etc. So I wonder if anyone could give me a list of signs that show their mood.
What do they do when they're happy, or sad. Angry and lonely. What does it mean when they shake their fluffy little butts etc. Just anything you can think of. I've only had them a week and I'm doing my best to hand rear them. It'd just be cool to know how they feel.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[CityFarmer202]

Welcome!!! Mine loved to nibble on stuff to see if they could taste it. Standing up as tall as they can would be stretching and checking out their surroundings. When they turn their head to the side, in the wild they would be checking the sky for predators, so i guess it's just natural. Mine seemed to be content (swimming in clean water, finished eating, cuddling with me, etc) when they were wagging their butts, so maybe that's what that means. When mine where excited and happy to see me, the would come running and start quaking or peeping a lot. Hope this helps a little This is just my observations with my ducks, which were 6 Cayuga girls, a pekin drake, a khaki campbell, and a rouen pair. I love ducks more than any other poultry ever Good luck with you new sweet little babies!!!!

 

[DuckDodgers]

My girls start quacking peeping etc. a lot when there are happy. They sometimes will randomly throughout out the day start to bob their heads up and down, not sure what that means though.