Ducks: why does my duckling stand in his food and water?

[ellawright9110]

Whenever I give him food or water, does lad rink and eat it however, he has to stand in it everytime? Also, is there a reason he's always pecking things like my phone?

 

[dotknott]

It's duck behavior 101. I don't know why it be like it is, but it do.

 

[cayugaducklady]

It's duck behavior 101. I don't know why it be like it is, but it do.

This quacks me up! And it's so totally true.


Ducks are curious and they'll investigate anything that is interesting/shiny/etc. I had to stop my wearing my ring last year because the ducklings were really interested in it. Zippers are another favorite. Coverall/coat zippers were constant attractants this winter.

You may be able to keep your duckling out of the drinking water by adding some bathing pans. Mine seem to need to be in standable water to really maintain their feathers. I also have a swimming pond for them.

You may be able to keep you duckling out of the food pan by giving them something else to stand on. My hens seems to really like standing on the ramp, logs and rocks I have in the pen. One of my girls loves being picked up so she can survey all of the land around her.

 

[dotknott]

If I'm wearing jeans, they go for the little brass snaps at the corners of pockets etc.
A blouse? mmmm... buttons.
Sneakers? OOO SHOELACES!
Sandals? delicious toes!
A watch? time is a concept we don't understand as ducks, but it sounds tasty!

 

[chickens really]

Buy some Parrot toys, like bells and mirrors.
Mine also love bigger balls too scoot around. Ducks are like Puppies with feathers! I love my Ducks!
They also play with stones and drop then in their pool too dive and retrieve...