Help! Drake mates as soon as seeing me!

[RebinNH]

I don't know what is going on but my (one) muscovy drake sees me and immediately (every time) either comes after me (if I am outside nearby) or he goes after one of the 2 hens and mates. They seem afraid of ME because they know if he sees me, he'll be coming after them. One of the hens sees me and runs off the property, as she assume he'll be after her right away and that seems to be safe for her. Any thoughts about how I can break this activity? I don't want to be the catalyst for this!

 

[ruthhope]

I don't know what is going on but my (one) muscovy drake sees me and immediately (every time) either comes after me (if I am outside nearby) or he goes after one of the 2 hens and mates. They seem afraid of ME because they know if he sees me, he'll be coming after them. One of the hens sees me and runs off the property, as she assume he'll be after her right away and that seems to be safe for her. Any thoughts about how I can break this activity? I don't want to be the catalyst for this!

Drakes are funny beasts. I doubt you can stop the behavior. I have one muscovy drake that runs after me and bites my feet. If I turn round and confront him, he stops in his tracks, but as soon as I start walking, he's back again running after me and biting my feet. I pick him up and dump him in the wading pool (he doesn't like water) and that stops him for a while. But next time I go out, he is again running after me trying to bite my feet. He doesn't learn. Well he knows what will happen, he just doesn't modify his behavior. I think your boy will be the same. Something internal is driving the behavior. Perhaps as hormone levels ebb this fall, your boy will settle down for a few months

 

[Jenbirdee]

it sounds like he is competing with you for alpha position in the flock.

 

[Jenbirdee]

• Ducks

How to Train and Tame Backyard Ducks​

sorry, I couldn’t figure out how to post that as a link but if you search for that article, you should find it in here somewhere

 

[Miss Lydia]

• Ducks

How to Train and Tame Backyard Ducks​

sorry, I couldn’t figure out how to post that as a link but if you search for that article, you should find it in here somewhere

here ya go
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-train-and-tame-backyard-ducks.78492/

 

[RebinNH]

I brought this duck up from a small fuzz ball and he and I have been together for 1.5 years. This behavior is newer but becoming a bit problematic. I don't see why just seeing me, is a trigger. It's almost as if he thinks he is doing me a favor, as he does seem to miss me when I'm inside more, as I have been of late! Anyone have the same experience - especially with a muscovy?

 

[RebinNH]

Drakes are funny beasts. I doubt you can stop the behavior. I have one muscovy drake that runs after me and bites my feet. If I turn round and confront him, he stops in his tracks, but as soon as I start walking, he's back again running after me and biting my feet. I pick him up and dump him in the wading pool (he doesn't like water) and that stops him for a while. But next time I go out, he is again running after me trying to bite my feet. He doesn't learn. Well he knows what will happen, he just doesn't modify his behavior. I think your boy will be the same. Something internal is driving the behavior. Perhaps as hormone levels ebb this fall, your boy will settle down for a few months

I use the pool too when Jupiter comes after me (often when I've been away for a while) and it does seem to temporarily calm him down. Perhaps he's angry (do ducks get angry?) and it takes the heat out of him. That is NOT always convenient though, as sometimes I have arms full of groceries and such. You're right that it does not permanently alter his behavior. When I have a hose in my hand that seems to beg good behavior on his part.

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Muscivy has been over the top most of the time from spring until now and he is 12 yrs old, I figured this summer he would be calmer but he was actually worse, attacking me and if I made him get away he would come back wings spread waiting for a fight. I would toss him in the pool he would bathe get out and start preening. Then it would start again.
I think if we're going to live with these characters we're just going to have to realize this is who they are and try to get it under control the best we can. Opie was raised by me not a mama duck so he views me completely different than my other drakes do who were raised by a mama duck.

 

[RebinNH]

Jupiter was raise by me as well. No Mama ducks here. I think that he has started this recently that it is the time to attempt to get it under better control.

 

[ruthhope]

My Muscivy has been over the top most of the time from spring until now and he is 12 yrs old, I figured this summer he would be calmer but he was actually worse, attacking me and if I made him get away he would come back wings spread waiting for a fight. I would toss him in the pool he would bathe get out and start preening. Then it would start again.
I think if we're going to live with these characters we're just going to have to realize this is who they are and try to get it under control the best we can. Opie was raised by me not a mama duck so he views me completely different than my other drakes do who were raised by a mama duck.

Daffy was raised by me and the little brighter follows me (cute) and bites my ankle demanding attention (not cute!). Daffy isn't attacking me, like my other miscreant, but biting still hurts whether it is fighting or attention seeking!!!!