My duck is a psycho, I’m ready to lose it!

[annabobbob717]

Hello everyone! SO it isn’t even 6 am and once again I am ripped from a sound sleep by one out of 10 birds, and it’s not even my rooster. My 8 chickens wait patiently and quietly to be let out every morning, and my other duck does as well. But for some reason my flock has been cursed with the most obnoxious creature I’ve ever come across. Every step anyone takes in the house, any time someone walks even near the back door to get in the yard, and every single morning at 4 am sharp she screams so loud you can hear it from many streets over. She is an absolute nightmare. She has made my hobby into a stressful embarrassing situation. All my neighbors have respectfully put up with my little chicken keeping hobby but this duck must have them ready to snap. I don’t know what to do at this point, I even ordered a 2000$ coop to muffle her screaming in the morning. I cannot safely let my birds out early as it’s way too dangerous! I threw my flip flop at her out of anger and started sobbing! I have never had such hate for an animal in my life, and I’m a vegan animal lover! Does anyone have any tips Before I send her to a new home which is my last resort? I just can’t have one bird ruin my lovely well behaved flock and make me hate the hobby I love most. It’s so bad I found myself praying that a hawk would get her, I don’t want to feel so angry towards the best hobby of my life, someone help!

 

[CrystaBub]

Xanax? I"m so sorry - don't know what I would do in this situation - but I feel for you. Hopefully someone will have some great advice....

 

[Jpat]

Eat it

 

[21hens-incharge]

It may be best for your peace to find the duck a new home.
If I read right you have just 2 ducks. I would let them go as a pair.

I had a chicken that would do the same thing. It is not fun and does make it difficult to enjoy them.
She went to a ranch 100 miles away.

 

[chickens really]

Hello..I have two Call Hens that yap too. By getting rid of her won't solve the problem. Another one will take over. Sounds like you have younger Ducks..My yappers are two years old and it's just something Hens do. They quiet down though after Breeding season. What breeds do you have?..

 

[Runner duck mom]

I have been there as well, it can be terribly frustratrating. My newest ducklings had been mostly quiet and happy in their run outside until they were about 11 weeks and then the yelling began...they could hear us open the back door, on the back porch, making coffee in the morning if the windows were open...so loud! We have an acre but still neighbors on all sides and we are the only ones with ducks so no hiding that the noise is coming from our yard.
They are 17 weeks or so now and have quieted down quite a bit though they do still have their days. I had looked everywhere online and it seems like they do quiet down with age. Our 1 year old duck just makes cute happy sounds when we go down to bring them snacks but otherwise quiet.
I am still keeping food and water in their coop at night so they can eat and drink in the morning to keep them busy/ quiet before I get up. Its really messy and I see why most people don't keep food and water in their coops overnight but for now it's worth the mess and extra cleanup.
Our ducks tend to stay quiet as long as it's dark outside..keeping their coop dark in the mornings may help, though I can't imagine it's very light out at 4am.
I had also considered bringing the girls into the garage at night to keep the noise down for the neighbors but never ended up having to do that.
During the day I give them plenty to do... Clean pool, making them a mud puddle and freezing fruits and veggies in a block of water seem to work keeping them busy and quiet.
I'm new to keeping ducks and learning along the way...never knew these little cuties could be so darn loud!
Hopefully they will quiet down with age or you can find someone to give them a good home if you need to.
Best of luck!

 

[annabobbob717]

Hello..I have two Call Hens that yap too. By getting rid of her won't solve the problem. Another one will take over. Sounds like you have younger Ducks..My yappers are two years old and it's just something Hens do. They quiet down though after Breeding season. What breeds do you have?..

They are 2 year old white 300 layers, they definitely got much worse since summer started

 

[annabobbob717]

I have been there as well, it can be terribly frustratrating. My newest ducklings had been mostly quiet and happy in their run outside until they were about 11 weeks and then the yelling began...they could hear us open the back door, on the back porch, making coffee in the morning if the windows were open...so loud! We have an acre but still neighbors on all sides and we are the only ones with ducks so no hiding that the noise is coming from our yard.
They are 17 weeks or so now and have quieted down quite a bit though they do still have their days. I had looked everywhere online and it seems like they do quiet down with age. Our 1 year old duck just makes cute happy sounds when we go down to bring them snacks but otherwise quiet.
I am still keeping food and water in their coop at night so they can eat and drink in the morning to keep them busy/ quiet before I get up. Its really messy and I see why most people don't keep food and water in their coops overnight but for now it's worth the mess and extra cleanup.
Our ducks tend to stay quiet as long as it's dark outside..keeping their coop dark in the mornings may help, though I can't imagine it's very light out at 4am.
I had also considered bringing the girls into the garage at night to keep the noise down for the neighbors but never ended up having to do that.
During the day I give them plenty to do... Clean pool, making them a mud puddle and freezing fruits and veggies in a block of water seem to work keeping them busy and quiet.
I'm new to keeping ducks and learning along the way...never knew these little cuties could be so darn loud!
Hopefully they will quiet down with age or you can find someone to give them a good home if you need to.
Best of luck!

Thank you for your advice! I think the general notion is that they may calm down with age, but I’ve decided I’m going to put them in a blacked out box at night so they can at least give my neighbors some rest till 8!

 

[chickens really]

Ducks don't sleep like Chickens..It might work?..Although I'm doubtful...

 

[sourland]

I would find a new home for the ducks. It's not worth the aggravation to you and your neighbors. Our flock is supposed to be a source of joy and relaxation not anxiety and aggravation.