HELPP!! :(

[nchls school]

Was Guus raised as a single duckling from the first day on? If so he would not identify with ducks and a girlfriend would be of no help. Him playing with dogs and spending time with them is not normal duck behavior. It is possible that he needs more attention, but I think he may see you as his mate and as such is trying to dominate you. I have seen this in goslings that have been raised alone without contact with other geese. It is also a common problem with parrots that have been hand fed as a single chick. Birds recognize us by what we wear and how we sound. Try dressing as a boy, change your voice, and see what happens. My wife suggests wearing a hat. Our birds freak out when I don't wear a hat. Another example is one of my serama pullets. If I go into the bird room without a shirt (very warm here) the pullet immediately flies to my shoulder. With a shirt she runs from me. Good luck.

 

[shortgrass]

I certainly understand where you seeing this point of view, but she is not hurting or abusing him, she is dominating him. Many people would think we were hurting our dogs when we dominate them, but we are not, we are careful. It is important to show dogs you are the pack leader so they don't get aggressive. She obviously loves her duck very much, it goes in the house with her!
I agree, the duck is lonely, he probably is just frustrated because he wants to breed.A LOT of animals show aggression when they reach maturity and want to find a mate.

Ducks and geese are not dogs, nor chickens... They do not respond to "domination", they " imprint".

The duck is literally an angry human; he has imprinted that female humans *might be mean, so he is aggressive towards any female that may look or sound like the owner. The men dont do the "dominion" acts, so they are good guys, to the duck. Age plays a factor too, he's moody from hormones and then yelled at..

Imprinting. Biggie. Duck and/or owner needs retrained or ducks needs a new home, simply put. Sorry, just being honest, IMO...

 

[GitaBooks]

Ducks and geese are not dogs, nor chickens... They do not respond to "domination", they " imprint".

The duck is literally an angry human; he has imprinted that female humans *might be mean, so he is aggressive towards any female that may look or sound like the owner. The men dont do the "dominion" acts, so they are good guys, to the duck. Age plays a factor too, he's moody from hormones and then yelled at..

Imprinting. Biggie. Duck and/or owner needs retrained or ducks needs a new home, simply put. Sorry, just being honest, IMO...

I do agree certainly with that birds don't seem to dominate one another, which is why I'm sort of confused why so many people suggest you dominate a rooster to stop it being aggressive. Birds do have a pecking order, but it is not the same as a mammals.
I know that male iguanas are often aggressive towards females people even if they were never frightened or hurt by them because of hormones, and iguanas aren't even considered that smart. Parrots are the same way, males can be aggressive towards female people because of hormones. They are confused when they are raised not by their own kind, something commonly do to animals to try to make them more tame. It back-fires, I should know, I have an orphaned kitten that will basically bite you if you try to touch him, just because he doesn't know how to behave. None of the other cats like him and the dogs don't really care to spend time with him either.
Other animals that get aggressive from hormones and being raised without their own kind are capybaras, wildcats, and others.

Please correct me if I'm wrong about anything. I study animal behavior, but I'm still learning.

 

[shortgrass]

I do agree certainly with that birds don't seem to dominate one another, which is why I'm sort of confused why so many people suggest you dominate a rooster to stop it being aggressive. Birds do have a pecking order, but it is not the same as a mammals.
I know that male iguanas are often aggressive towards females people even if they were never frightened or hurt by them because of hormones, and iguanas aren't even considered that smart. Parrots are the same way, males can be aggressive towards female people because of hormones. They are confused when they are raised not by their own kind, something commonly do to animals to try to make them more tame. It back-fires, I should know, I have an orphaned kitten that will basically bite you if you try to touch him, just because he doesn't know how to behave. None of the other cats like him and the dogs don't really care to spend time with him either.
Other animals that get aggressive from hormones and being raised without their own kind are capybaras, wildcats, and others.

Please correct me if I'm wrong about anything. I study animal behavior, but I'm still learning.

Ah, see... Just a smidgen off on that...your grouping of "birds" in general.... Different species have differing social behaviors... The imprinting, for instance...not all birds do that, its mostly limited to ducks, geese...parrots are a good example; they think they're people... Chickens, turkeys, etc...could care less lol, THEY have the dominion factor.... Roosters respond to pecking order, ducks respond to social bonding; trust.

Like how roosters have 20 hens, but geese mate monogamously... Different SPECIES of bird

*lol I had a Hahn McCaw years ago, raised him from a baby...he was my little snuggles, until I got pregnant. I thought it was hormones, come to find out, it was as simple as moving his cage lower. I had him up so high above everyone, he thought he was the king Imprinting right there, and I had messed up lol

 

[pattyhen]

It sounds like you are in a no win situation here. I know you love Guus and he loves you too. You can't get another duck because your mom won't let you. I really believe that is your answer there. I don't think Guus is going to change his mood swings. You need to accept him for the way he is and remember he is not happy either when he is acting that way.


Patty

 

[GitaBooks]

Ah, see... Just a smidgen off on that...your grouping of "birds" in general.... Different species have differing social behaviors... The imprinting, for instance...not all birds do that, its mostly limited to ducks, geese...parrots are a good example; they think they're people... Chickens, turkeys, etc...could care less lol, THEY have the dominion factor.... Roosters respond to pecking order, ducks respond to social bonding; trust.

Like how roosters have 20 hens, but geese mate monogamously... Different SPECIES of bird

*lol I had a Hahn McCaw years ago, raised him from a baby...he was my little snuggles, until I got pregnant. I thought it was hormones, come to find out, it was as simple as moving his cage lower. I had him up so high above everyone, he thought he was the king

Imprinting right there, and I had messed up lol

Thanks for the advise!

 

[SamSimone]

Why do you sit on your duck? Punishing him, yelling at him, etc?

And you want to know why your duck bites you?

Wow.

Duck needs some playmates or a new home. He is being aggressive because he's lonely, and you've been abusing him. Does your dad sit on him too? Your friend? Might be a reason THEY don't get the "bad moods"...

Please consider rehoming the duck. His needs are not being met and he would be much happier and healthier in a home with his needs as a priority.

Dear Shortgrass,

I have only used techniques on him which I got from professionals.

As I stated earlier I do not sit on him with any weight whatsoever, I am just on top of him so he gets that I am te boss of him.
And yes, when he is biting my ankles until it bleeds I sometimes find it necessary to yell (I have never hurt him back though)
As you can read, none of these techniques worked, and since all I want is for Guus to be happy, I asked the question to get serious responses.

I do everything I can to make him happy, and he is the most spoiled duck in the world.

I have tried playmates too, but he is not used to other ducks and does not respond to them.

Have a great day,

Love,
Sam

edited by staff

 

[SamSimone]

Yelling at him won't do it and sounds like treating him like another drake would isn't working either. are you being consistent in training? I don't think you meant you are literally sitting on him. But I think what your seeing is hormonal and also Guus being raised as an only duck has him very confused as to his role with you, He sees you and mom and sister as potential mates. Yes they do get confused. Maybe you should think about finding Guus a home where he will have some female friends. Someone mentioned he may try mating with your hens and that is a biggie he could end up killing them chickens and ducks are not made to mate totally different set up there.

Thanks for the advice,

Unfortunately he does not respond to other ducks or the chickens, I will try training with him every day, maybe that will work.
I don't think a different home would do him any good, he is really attached to me, when he doesn't have a bad day.

Love,
Sam

 

[SamSimone]

Was Guus raised as a single duckling from the first day on? If so he would not identify with ducks and a girlfriend would be of no help. Him playing with dogs and spending time with them is not normal duck behavior. It is possible that he needs more attention, but I think he may see you as his mate and as such is trying to dominate you. I have seen this in goslings that have been raised alone without contact with other geese. It is also a common problem with parrots that have been hand fed as a single chick. Birds recognize us by what we wear and how we sound. Try dressing as a boy, change your voice, and see what happens. My wife suggests wearing a hat. Our birds freak out when I don't wear a hat. Another example is one of my serama pullets. If I go into the bird room without a shirt (very warm here) the pullet immediately flies to my shoulder. With a shirt she runs from me. Good luck.

Yes I got him when he was three days old I think, he does not respond to other ducks and thinks he is either a dog or a human.
I will definitely try your advise!

Thanks so much,

Love Sam

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the advice,

Unfortunately he does not respond to other ducks or the chickens, I will try training with him every day, maybe that will work.
I don't think a different home would do him any good, he is really attached to me, when he doesn't have a bad day.

Love,
Sam

With my drake persistence paid off but I also was able to get him some females of his very own which helped alot and even though he was hatched here and raised inside by my dh and I for 6 weeks he was around other ducks from day 2. It does make a difference. If you are content to keep him then sounds like your going to have to put up with his moods. But never let him bite any of you. Even if you have to totally ignore him and stay away from him when you know he is in one of those moods.