New to Ducking

[Miss Lydia]

Should I also have more than one female? He wants to mate a lot ! And he is rough with her.

Yes you should have at least 2 females but even better is 3. That way he isn't focusing on just the one female. Duck mating is rough and hard on the females.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I put him out of the pen! He was sticking his head through the chain link trying to bite me! He has turn so mean and I don't know why. He was sweet before. And the female I had before was pretty friendly too. I never picked them up but they would peck out of your hand and sit next to you in the sun and relax. Then she was killed by something that totally removed her head and left her body. He was then alone for about a month and continued to follow us around and eat from my hand . Then I was able to get this female from a friend of a friend that raises dicks. She is almost 3. He is almost a year old. They seemed to like each other and with your advice I was able to get them into the pen each night. Then he became aggressive and try's to bite all the time and puts his head down to ram you as you walk away. I have flat hand spanked his butt and grabbed him as you said and held him. He pecked the heck out of my shins and arms but I held him. So far he still doesn't know I'm boss. He wants to mate all the time and she lets him, but with the previous duck she didn't seem to "like it". Now with this eye injury I am so worried. Thank you for advising me.

It's the hormones that causes the personality change. About the only things you can do is teach him your in charge But don't hit him with your hand. Use the broom or a long pole to keep him away from you if he is out to bite or ram. Or do like the other member and carry an umbrella and open it towards him when he comes at you. She said it sure worked on her gander. He isn't much different than any other drake they all are obsessed with mating but they do calm down slowly as they age. Thank goodness. lol And he is young.

How did her eye look when you got to her? Were you able to rinse her eye out?

 

[cowetatina]

Yes, I was able to pick her up and wash her eye with the warm water. It's white and milky. I will do it again tomorrow morning and will go get the salve. I am not afraid of him anymore so piping his butt isn't a problem for me. Unless it's not the way to handle it. Should I not swat his butt? I squat down on his level and look him straight in the eye. My husband is afraid lol. I took your advice and held him down and he was really mad and his head spun like he was possessed. He still doesn't know I'm boss though.
I will take another photo of her eye tomorrow. And send it to you. I will also ask at the local feed store about finding more female ducks. Thank you again for your help. As you know from my previous correspondence the original female and this male were rescues and I offered to help by fostering them and then fell in love with them and kept them. Unfortunately I have no experience with ducks so I am thankful for this site and advice you have offered

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes, I was able to pick her up and wash her eye with the warm water. It's white and milky. I will do it again tomorrow morning and will go get the salve. I am not afraid of him anymore so piping his butt isn't a problem for me. Unless it's not the way to handle it. Should I not swat his butt? I squat down on his level and look him straight in the eye. My husband is afraid lol. I took your advice and held him down and he was really mad and his head spun like he was possessed. He still doesn't know I'm boss though.
I will take another photo of her eye tomorrow. And send it to you. I will also ask at the local feed store about finding more female ducks. Thank you again for your help. As you know from my previous correspondence the original female and this male were rescues and I offered to help by fostering them and then fell in love with them and kept them. Unfortunately I have no experience with ducks so I am thankful for this site and advice you have offered

Your doing great. I do remember your talking about your 2 new ducks that were rescues. Experience comes along with having them, so your getting first hand experience that is exactly how I started and many more on here.

I have never swatted any of my poultry I have pushed my gander and drake away from me, and held them down on their bellies often when they are thinking they want to bite me, I am going through this now with my gander who I have had since he hatched here almost 10 yrs ago but we go through this every year when breeding season starts.
We have to remind them often that they are not the dominant ones.

I hope the saline washes help. Look forward to hearing how she is tomorrow. You did put your drake back inside so he'll be safe tonight?

 

[cowetatina]

Yes I put him in just before dark. I wonder if I should seperate them in the pen because he is picking on her some. I will let him out in the morning and keep her in the pen until she seems well. I will pick up the medicine you told me about and inquire about getting more females. Thank you so much

 

[Miss Lydia]

Yes I put him in just before dark. I wonder if I should seperate them in the pen because he is picking on her some. I will let him out in the morning and keep her in the pen until she seems well. I will pick up the medicine you told me about and inquire about getting more females. Thank you so much

That would probably be a good idea. Just remember when you bring home more females you'll have to introduce them trough fencing first so your 2 will get use to the new ones and not look on them as intruders.

 

[Justy0]

You will definitely want to get some females. At least two or three. At his age introducing new males would not likely go well. Ducks are very social animals though, so its not good for him to be alone. If he was not showing biting and other aggressive signs before his mate was killed I am guessing those are defensive behaviors due to the fact that he is feeling threatened and doesn't know who to trust. If you have the time and you would like him stop those behaviors, I would say spend more time next to his coop and in his coop, down on his level and talking to him softly. Maybe give him food or a favorite treat out of your hand if he will take it. Of course be careful if you feel his aggression may put you in danger, but if you feel confident you could defend yourself then I would give that a try so you can re earn his trust.

 

[cowetatina]

this is her eye today. Washed it with the salt water mixture.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Does it look better to you the pic is blurry here. There are other products to like Veterycin eye wash or Veterycin for wounds and infections. And Terramycin eye ointment. Just hoping maybe saline wash would help first.

 

[cowetatina]

I'm going to feed store today to get meds. And ask about getting more female ducks