New to Ducking

[Miss Lydia]

I'm not great at maneuvering around on this site so this may not be the place to ask all of my questions. But I will still ask and if anyone knows the answers please chime in.
I will post a photo of my rescue ducks so maybe someone will know what kind they are. Also, when I just had the male (very colorful) he was pretty friendly, even though I couldn't pet him but he would come close and eat from a bowl in my hand. Once I got the female (the brown one) he has became aggressive. He puts he head down almost to ram you. He had hit me hard a couple of times. Why is he doing this now? Also now they are now roaming a lot. They came up to my house today 3 times! And we are on a few acres. I am worried because I have a salt water pool.

You might want to fence in an area for them so they don't get in your pool. If you can post a pic we maybe able to give you an idea what breed.

As for your drake acting aggressive that is just normal behavior for many drakes Testosterone rules their heads and bodies. If he comes at you like he is going to attack you need to get him on the ground quick, with his head facing away from you I straddle my drake [he is Muscovy and a big boy] I don't sit on him[ I straddle] but I put one hand on his neck and hold him there till he stops fighting to get up. Just like another drake would do to him.I also have to do this with my gander, boy is he something else this time of year. Then when you let him up he is facing away from you if he comes again just keep this up till he finally gives up, But don't expect him to become a placid nice boy over night you'll have to keep this up until He finally gets IT that you are the dominant one in his world.

 

[cowetatina]

 

[cowetatina]

I can't get near him to straddle him. I'm afraid to try and
Do that. When I turn around a face him he stops if I am standing up. Yesterday I was carrying a bucket and he hit it hard with his beak. The female seems like she wants to come over but he gets in the way and quacks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can't get near him to straddle him. I'm afraid to try and
Do that. When I turn around a face him he stops if I am standing up. Yesterday I was carrying a bucket and he hit it hard with his beak. The female seems like she wants to come over but he gets in the way and quacks.

Your afraid to try? Listen if you don't let him know this is unacceptable it can get out of hand. I hope you are not like alot of people ,they can't handle how their drake has become so mean so next step is dumping him off at the local park or pond Which is usually a death sentence for them. I had the same problem with my drake and I didn't give up but kept being consistent with him and he will be 6 yrs old in June and knows I am leader around here. Him and I are best buds too. Sorry if my comment seems harsh but you really have to show yourself to be strong or he won't respect you as flock leader.

 

[cowetatina]

I can assure you I would NEVER dump a animal. These ducks are rescues. I normally foster dogs but when the lady from the rescue called me and said someone dumped the ducks in a box on her door step and they needed a home so she called me because Inlive on land with a nice little pond with a barn, greenhouse and large garden and have a big heart and the budget to take care of them. She has lots of dogs due to her rescue so she thinks the person rhat dumped them thought she could help. I appreciate your advice and I will be more assertive with him. I can't get close enough to straddle him because he runs at me with his head down and when I turn around and tell him a stern NO, he stops and goes the other way. I won't let him get away with it but just needed to know how to deal with it. This is my first time with fowl. Again any info you can share is helpful. I enjoy watching them play in the pond and forage during the day. I hope to continue to be a good duck Parent with this groups advice

 

[Miss Lydia]

I can assure you I would NEVER dump a animal. These ducks are rescues. I normally foster dogs but when the lady from the rescue called me and said someone dumped the ducks in a box on her door step and they needed a home so she called me because Inlive on land with a nice little pond with a barn, greenhouse and large garden and have a big heart and the budget to take care of them. She has lots of dogs due to her rescue so she thinks the person rhat dumped them thought she could help. I appreciate your advice and I will be more assertive with him. I can't get close enough to straddle him because he runs at me with his head down and when I turn around and tell him a stern NO, he stops and goes the other way. I won't let him get away with it but just needed to know how to deal with it. This is my first time with fowl. Again any info you can share is helpful. I enjoy watching them play in the pond and forage during the day. I hope to continue to be a good duck Parent with this groups advice

Well hopefully he'll drop his guard down one time and you can surprise the poo out of him lol Boy when Testosterone gets the best of them they can be something else to deal with.

Bless you for taking them in.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

There seriously is nothign to be scared of.It is a lot wirse when its a goose.Your faster then him and cab hokd him down befire he can bite you.

 

[cowetatina]

He backs off as soon as I scold him. I believe he know the word NO!

 

[cowetatina]

My female has laid at least 15 eggs in her next. I let them out every morning and she is on the nest and stays out all day. We put them in during the night. Some of these eggs are probably 3 weeks old. What do I do? The male is getting more and more aggressive too. Trying to bite etc when we go into the pen morning and night to refresh water and food and straw. . I use a stern No and have swatted him to let him know who's boss. He isn't learning. I have never been able to pet or pick up either duck. They are not scared of us or the dog. They just keep a few feet away while foraging. Advice ?!?!

 

[lovelyduckling]

Try moving her of the nest. If she comes back, she is broody. She will try to hatch her eggs. If you don't want ducklings then try to break her if being broody. I would put fresh fertile eggs under her if you have some. If you decide to hatch post some pics! I love ducklings!