Duckling behavior...

[nao57]

So there's this odd duckling behavior I keep observing now. I've only had them since I think Friday. And they were extra fragile when I got them, being almost a week old.

Two of the ducklings keep hopping backwards a few times before they take a dump.

And its been going on for about two days.

They don't seem weak as of yesterday. And they do act fairly normal other than that. They also don't seem slow.

Just for a couple times now today, and a bit last night 2 of them will hop backwards about 3 times and then just let 'er rip.

It might not mean anything, but I thought I'd see what others think.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

They've learned 'The Loco-Motion'; it was popular in the 70's

 

[CayugaMama]

So there's this odd duckling behavior I keep observing now. I've only had them since I think Friday. And they were extra fragile when I got them, being almost a week old.

Two of the ducklings keep hopping backwards a few times before they take a dump.

And its been going on for about two days.

They don't seem weak as of yesterday. And they do act fairly normal other than that. They also don't seem slow.

Just for a couple times now today, and a bit last night 2 of them will hop backwards about 3 times and then just let 'er rip.

It might not mean anything, but I thought I'd see what others think.

My cayuga ducklings do this as well! They take 2 steps back, do their business, and then step forward. I think it is just their way of keeping their standing space clean... for a moment at least!

 

[nao57]

My cayuga ducklings do this as well! They take 2 steps back, do their business, and then step forward. I think it is just their way of keeping their standing space clean... for a moment at least!

So I thought about your response during the day. And then I wanted to ask...

Does this mean that the Cayuga ducks and the black runners (which might have Cayuga genes in them) are more hygienic than other species?

Is there such a thing as hygienic ducks?

And before people knock this idea, and discount it, beekeepers do have hygienic honey bees. Its a thing now that people want. So if honey bees can have some breeds be hygienic (but not all), then is it possible that some ducks could also?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

I believe that there are definitely reflexes that are important to survival, but I also believe that eliminating is an involuntary reflex in birds.

 

[CayugaMama]

So I thought about your response during the day. And then I wanted to ask...

Does this mean that the Cayuga ducks and the black runners (which might have Cayuga genes in them) are more hygienic than other species?

Is there such a thing as hygienic ducks?

And before people knock this idea, and discount it, beekeepers do have hygienic honey bees. Its a thing now that people want. So if honey bees can have some breeds be hygienic (but not all), then is it possible that some ducks could also?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Interesting thought! I think by their nature, my Cayugas are still very messy! But... they do seem to have a little skip in their step after bath time! I wonder if anyone has ever tried to breed that trait more!