Help! Khaki Campbell Duck

[Mcummings2]

Hello everyone!

My girlfriend got me 2 ducklings a little over a month ago; a Pekin and a Khaki Campbell (We are still unsure what sex they are at the moment) We made sure to handle them and socialize with them every day, and they loved to snuggle. Now they are about 2 months old and we have them outside full time. The Pekin is really relaxed and friendly and will let us still handle it really well. It likes to sit in our lap and even lets us hold it.

The Khaki Campbell on the other hand, is a little turd. It runs from us and will sometimes bite us. It seems like it might be influencing the pekin with this bad behavior, is that possible? We give them the same amount of love and attention, but the Khaki Campbell is just so finicky and seems almost aggressive.

We aren't really sure what to do at this point or if this behavior can be reversed. If we re home it, will it be okay with a new group of ducks? And if we got another pekin, would it be okay with our pekin? I would love some advice, as we are first time duck owners. Thanks!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Khakis are generally a bit more skiddish than pekins.
I am not reading bad behavior in your post though, can you elaborate?

 

[Mcummings2]

Khakis are generally a bit more skiddish than pekins.
I am not reading bad behavior in your post though, can you elaborate?

He runs from us when we try to pet him or get him in the coop for the night and sometimes he will bite us if we try to handle him. Maybe this is just normal behavior for this breed, but we don't know much about ducks. I feel like the Pekin is so much more relaxed when the Khaki is. But when the Khaki starts acting up, it seems like it almost effects the pekin.

 

[llombardo]

I have a female Peking and a male and female khaki. Peking is definitely more friendly and they seem to follow her. They let me pick them up to put them in the pool and they don't try to bite. But, always a but, my Peking was the biter when younger. What I thought was biting was her exploring. I wish they were more friendly, but they are ducks. Mine are pretty boring. I have to put them in the pool, they put he selves to bed at night, and when it rains they go into their house. They do nothing like most ducks.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

He runs from us when we try to pet him or get him in the coop for the night and sometimes he will bite us if we try to handle him. Maybe this is just normal behavior for this breed, but we don't know much about ducks. I feel like the Pekin is so much more relaxed when the Khaki is. But when the Khaki starts acting up, it seems like it almost effects the pekin.

They learn from each other. I don't pick my ducks up unless needed (health checks). Otherwise ducks do not like to be handled. I feel for the people who had cuddlers as ducklings, but then learn that as they grow they are not really affectionate. They might tolerate some things more than others, but my ducks don't even like to be petted.
Domesticated ducks are farm animals whether they are treated like pets or not.
As far as putting them into the coop - can they go in independently without you picking them up? I corral mine in. I use a stick as a guide. Even last night, my drake decided to give me the run around before going in. If I had tried to pick him up, I am sure that I would have come out of it looking like I had been in the middle of a cat fight. As my ducks are muscovies- and do not like to be picked up. Plus they have the claws of a raptor. Or so it seems.
It sounds like you have a duck like any other duck. If they are being aggressive without provocation (chasing you and such), then you can put them in their place. But, sorry to say, you are causing the biting - as it doesn't want to be held or picked up. Khakis are good egg layers though.
If you want post some pics, maybe they are old enough to sex by sight. Otherwise, female ducks have a loud quack and males have a raspy one. Unless muscovy, but that's a whole other conversation.

 

[Miss Lydia]