Quote:
Ducks have definate social behaviors that you can observe and learn their habits and normal behaviors..
They also have what I'd call a "duck-hug" where they will (male & female) will reach over your hand instead of mouthing or nibbles and hang their beak on your hand or even up on your arm and gently try to pull back towards their body. If you follow they will hold their beak on your hand until they bring your hand to their neck/breast area. Not hard or aggressively, just a gentle tug as if to put their arm around you...since they don't have hands or arms, they will use their beak like a hand. Very creative birds....they find a way to get things done and minic some familiar behaviors.
I've used that "NO-Biting" (no-skin) technique with some success. Buddy ( drake) will sneak in a good nip every once in a while (playing rough)and if he gets a good mouthful I'll say loudly...NO BITING and now he will stop. Used to be he'd continue regardless of what was said or done. Used to be picking him up was taking a heck of a chance because he used to go for the throat and bite the heck out of some tender skin on the neck...ear-lobes...even bit my nose once. Got a chunk of my lower lip one time...looked like somebody smacked me pretty good. I let people believe whatever they wanted to.....Not about to tell everybody that a duck nearly bit my lip off...
But, after he learned that this hurt and got him scolded, he won;t do that anymore. He acts as if he has to remind himself not to bite at my neck when I pick him up because he will reach toward me like he was about to bite, but now he just rubs with his beak and sticks his head on my shoulder after his greeting...
One thing I learned was the beak holding as a means of control and teaching the bird...if suddenly he's no longer dominate or unable to dominate....it confuses the boy and he steps back to re-evaluate the situation. At that point it turns into a game if I let it. Used to be cause for playtime to end. I noticed that IF I ended the fun, it was likely to be picked up where we left off...with more biting and nipping next time. If I interrupted his aggression yet rewarded him with affection, he would soften his approach and play nice. Now when holding Buddy, he sticks his head over my shoulder and rubs against my neck. Sometimes thats to get reasdy to climb but I'll tell him "no climbing...not now"....sometimes he relaxes and sometimes he ignores me and climbs up anyway....its HIS perch after all. One thing is for sure...never pick up a duck unless you are wearing a sleeved shirt...duck toe-nails can rip you up pretty good. I've made that mistake wearing a tank-top...bad bad idea! Not the birds fault...its the dmb human thats picking up an animal with toes similar to 16p nails...
Two things important to a duck when interacting with their human. Who is dominant and then the attention/affection. If they (especially a drake) can't beat you up, the next best thing is to cuddle or play....some form of physical contact on their terms. Most of the time if I try to hold Buddy, he's gonna climb and struggle until he gets on my shoulder...left side prefered but the right will do if thats all he can get to...then he'll stretch and start arranging his posture to get himself steadied on my shoulder so he can lean far forward and stick his head in my pocket...Its funny to see him looking for a pocket on the right side...he DOES know the difference. He'll look all around and he will change shoulders if I let him (let him? like I got a choice) so he can get to his pocket. Once comfortable he won't get down until he's ready.
Sometimes IF, and ONLY IF I've rubbed his spolied neck long enough he will go ahead and fly off and back into his pen if I ask him to do so, and give him the signal to fly off.. Lately he's been pretty hooked on getting his beak scratched. Thats like getting an itch scratched to you or me. Must be like heaven 'cause he can sit there and hang his head down all day while I scratch his nose... If I stop too soon I get the one soft raspy male quack...my hint to start scratching again. Ever had a big duck fall asleep when you were scratching his head or rubbing his neck? Seeing them relax and trust you as they close their eyes is pretty darn cool !
Squeek is much easier...she likes to be held close for about 2 minutes where she'll lay her head against my chest while I massage her neck, then she'll do her "squeeking noise2 to 3 times.... thats the signal that she wants to get down. I can hold her longer but she'll be restless and start to squirm. She's easy. Squeek is more realistic about the time spent getting the spa treatment....but only if both feet are on something solid...she can stand in the palm of my hand and be happy IF she can get both feet in and have that solid footing. If not, she'll wiggle and jump off first chance she gets.
When reaching to them on the ground, they both instinctively squawk (warning chatter) and back up...then come forward to greet me as soon as they figure out who it is. If they are really playful they'll both start with the "hugs" trying to pull my hand in closer as if to say "hold me, I am happy to see you"...other times they will want to run & play...and circle my foot or even come up behind and tug at the back of my shoe or pant leg...If I hold one too long, the other starts nipping at my ankle. Gently, not the least bit aggresively. Just a little nip to say "hey, remember me"? They demand equal time when being held.....
Sorry for the length of this ! I'm facinated by duck behavior and their very distinct personalities. Much more interesting than many of the people that I meet these days...
BTW, for those still awake, I found a NEW system of "bedding" for the indoor AND outdoor pens...
Instead of towels on a tarp, I found a painters drop cloth that is rubber coated on one side so nothing soaks thru. It was only $7 for the 5' X 5' size. Canvas with rubber back. Liteweight and washable. Its being test driven as I write this. If it works and turns out to be a reasonable alternative to several towels, I'll get another so one can be in use while the other is being washed. I'll let you know how it works. ANything to help with the daily chore of doing the ducks laundry as I call it...
Thanks for reading...if you can;t tell, I really enjoy my birds !
