How to train ducks not to attack and bite

[jennytg3]

My two once-friendly, loving male ducks have just recently started to attack and bite me ferociously - I think they're being protective of the female who has just started laying. I've been very close to them so they may view me as a personal threat to the female, who often 'presents' herself to me. The ducks don't seem to chase other people as much.

My questions:

1. How do you effectively train ducks not to attack and bite? I have tried water guns, water hose, tapping their beak, holding beak closed for a second, saying "no", putting them in their cage. I also do positive reinforcement when on the rare occasion they don't bite me.

2. Is this a phase they'll grow out of when they're not 'teenagers' anymore? If this is a phase I can get through it. If it's going to be permanent I don't think I can keep them - I can barely go in my backyard anymore.

3. If I do have to say goodbye to the male ducks, is there a place they can go where they can live happily and not be eaten? Has anyone else had to do this? What did you do?

Thank you in advance for your help! I'm sick over this as I raised these ducks from chicks and held them every day so they would grow up and be friendly.

 

[katharinad]

All things you have done have not made you the alpha duck in their pin heads. You literally have to put your body on top of the drake and hold it down for about 5 minutes. You may even have to repeat this over and over until they get the point. Obviously you have to separate the boys or one attacks while the other one is underneath you. Just don't let them do this for too long or it becomes the rule of their house.

 

[jennytg3]

This is super helpful, thank you! I appreciate the specific advice and will definitely do that.

So now when someone tells me to go sit on a duck, I will do just that! LOL.

Any other things I can do?

 

[lovesduckies]

my drake is the sweetest drake in the world and he gets like that too. i too "mount" him for a bit and he stops lol.

 

[daze333]

I too am having this problem with my teenage runner drakes! They do not do it to me, but to my 9 yr old son. I will have to try that-it makes sense!
Thank you!!

 

[katharinad]

You mean your son has to mount them.

 

[PlumTuckered]

I had to do the same thing with one of my Jumbo Pekin Drakes last year, worked like a charm.

Michelle

 

[jennytg3]

So, just to make sure I'm doing it right, I kneel down and put the duck firmly between my legs, head sticking out in front of me, and I gently hold the neck down too. Firmly enough to not let him struggle but loose enough not to hurt him of course. THen wait 5 minutes? I've found it works when I do it for about 5 minutes, but when I just do it for a short period of time with just my hands (i.e. I don't have time or the grass is wet), it doesn't seem to have the same effect.

Is there a magic about the 5 minutes - i.e. does it reset it's brain or something like in the movie Memento?

 

[maggiemmm]

What a crock!! I was just about to post the VERY SAME QUESTION about my male Muscovy. All of a sudden he is beaking me grabbed my pantleg and would not let go. SO, now I know what I need to do. The other female got loose one day and flew away. There is only one female in with him. Should I get a couple more females ? No one has Muskovies around here - will a Pekin or two work?? There actually may be Indian Runners for sale too.. I need to check. Thanks for the input it really helps .

 

[emjay]

funny, I was about to ask the question as to whether ducks will bite etc. I am a newbie to ducks, I am going into my second week with the 5 newcomers. The females are at egg laying age.
I noticed the one male as I left the run today, tried to lunge for me as I was leaving. But, I stood ground and shooshed him away.

so I wonder, now that I know what to do. hahah. Oh man, good thing my neighbors won't be able to see me , if I have to 'mount' one of my ducks, LOL. who knew ........ !!!!

now, when one gets bit my a duck, does it hurt??? or more annoying then anything?

P.S. everything anyone has ever said about ducks about them being messy !!!!!! OH MY WORD. kind of like my daughters bedroom.