Make Duck Breeding Behavior Questions

[TinaandJohnny]

Hey! I’ve had the boys for about a year and am still fairly new to them but have learned so much. They’re super spoiled, safe large pen, green grass, shelter, heathy food, fresh water, the whole works. I spend A LOT of time with them. Had a question about their behavior during mating season, which is now in my area. I only have 2 boys and they’re doing the whole male duck thing, squawking, showing off, running around, ruffling feathers, they love showing off to me, also some aggression towards me which I tolerate, sometime to each other but never when I’m not around.(I have a camera on them.) I’ve noticed recently they’ve slowed down on eating. They aren’t eating much of their daily salads, peas, cucumbers, some grapes, romaine lettuce etc. They’re on Mazuri waterfowl diet but don’t eat much of that either. They definitely eat some but not like they use to in the winter. I see them forage in the grass and they love their mealworm treats, I’m just curious if that’s normal behavior during the mating season? They love looking for stuff in the pond and I don’t see any signs of parasites nor do they seem lethargic or sick. I keep a very close eye on them. They actually seem to have more energy which could be result of the season? Any insight that helps. I love coming on here because people on here are so helpful. Thanks, let me know!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like your boys have a wonderful life. I think because it is warming they just don't need the extra calories that they need in winter. I am noticing mine aren't eating like they did over winter. They are foraging a lot more too and most likely finding all kinds of bugs etc to eat.
Look at your treats are you giving them too much so they aren't eating their Mazuri? Sometimes we spoil them too much and like kids they would much rather have their treats than their main feed. Might try cutting back on treats and see if they will eat their feed and get their nutrients from that more so than treats. What you feeding is good but they really need the nutrients their whole feed gives them first, then the treats come after.

 

[TinaandJohnny]

Sounds like your boys have a wonderful life. I think because it is warming they just don't need the extra calories that they need in winter. I am noticing mine aren't eating like they did over winter. They are foraging a lot more too and most likely finding all kinds of bugs etc to eat.
Look at your treats are you giving them too much so they aren't eating their Mazuri? Sometimes we spoil them too much and like kids they would much rather have their treats than their main feed. Might try cutting back on treats and see if they will eat their feed and get their nutrients from that more so than treats. What you feeding is good but they really need the nutrients their whole feed gives them first, then the treats come after.

They mostly busy do drive by’s on their treats, grab some and keep walking. They definitely eat more of their Mazuri and I make sure they eat more of it. I take the salad out if I see them get dependent on it. Lately they just seem less interested in any of it. But yeah, I’ll keep cutting back to make sure they’re getting the nutrients and thanks for responding! I adore my little buddies!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Of course we offer drive by like fast food restaurants lol my Runner drake never seems to eat like his girls. They can be piggies.

 

[TinaandJohnny]

Of course we offer drive by like fast food restaurants lol my Runner drake never seems to eat like his girls. They can be piggies.

Haha. Yeah and they don’t seem to pay for their drive by fast food either.