Indian Runners won't stop quacking!

[Macaroon]

Hi there, I have 4 female Indian Runners who will be a year old in June. They've been very sweet and laying eggs reliably since November. About 3-4 weeks ago, I noticed slight changes in their behavior. They started fluffing their feathers and their quacking got twice as loud as it used to be. Could this just be "spring" related and they are complaining about the lack of male company or wanting babies? One of them is broody and sits in her little nest all day long.
I usually get their eggs in the morning but for the last few days I've pretty much left them alone, except to feed or water, hoping they wouldn't feel disturbed.
The big problem is really how much louder they've become. We live in a residential neighborhood and have had very understanding neighbors but I'm reaching my limit with how much quacking I can take and I'm sure they aren't far behind. The slightest noise seems to set them off and they will not shut up for hours.
If I knew that this was just hormones and spring time and would pass, I would tough it out but if they keep going like this, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep them.

I appreciate all replies! Thanks

 

[TLWR]

Mine go in spurts of quacking their fool heads off. I wait until they quiet down and then quickly run out with peas.


One of my neighbors loves hearing my ducks and chickens and even liked hearing the rooster. Another neighbor, I don't care. I listen to their dogs bark all the darn time, they can deal with some chicken and duck noise during the day. At least my animals are quite at night!
My other close neighbor, they've not complained and when we asked if it was just us being kept awake by the barking dogs, they said the animal noises during the day don't bother them, just at night when it keeps them and their kids up, so no issues with ours.
But I do understand your concern.

If you can, spend some time hanging out with them and see if you notice anything setting them off, or if they are just being extra chatty this spring. I would expect them to go back to their mostly quiet selves soon.

 

[sourland]

It may be a combination of surging hormones and calling for a drake or all may be starting to go broody. Many of the mallard derived breeds (in my experience) tend to get 'quacky' when they go broody.

 

[Macaroon]

Thanks for your reply! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one trying to buy their silence with peas...

I feel the same way about other neighbors' dogs and it was all fine and dandy until the quacking got so darn loud. One of them seems to be the leader and starts the quacking, the others join in and keep each other going.
It can be a squirrel that sets them off, or a car door being shut, or a dog barking in the neighbor's yard and they used to quack once or twice, quietly and then went on about their business. Now it seems like they quack for no reason at all, like they are in distress the whole time.
Lettuce, bananas and other food used to be a great distraction - not anymore. Filling up their little pool used to work, too. When I sit with them, they usually get excited and after a few minutes they calm back down. Not at the moment.

 

[HotelChicka]

My female mallard lost her only flock mate recently and just won't stop quacking. We got her a new friend, which helped for a couple days....but now the quacking is worse. I am trying to be patient but I can't keep this up for much longer. So I am listening in on this thread