Night Running Drake

[sprky40]

Maybe someone can tell me if their ducks do the same as my KC drake. My KC's are free roaming in my backyard all evening for now until I can build my pen/coop for them but the past few nights I have been going out and checking on them which usually they're in their pool hanging out all night. Anyhow, they've just been hanging out close to the house either on the back deck or around the pool which is really close to the house as well. I turn on the back porch light and take my flashlight and shine on them, the drake then proceeds to jump out of the pool or just take off running for the very back part of our fenced in yard. He really takes off like a jet plane or someone put a fire under his butt. Before a few days ago when they was in their pool they would just swim to one side and hang out but now he jumps out and takes off, he's also been doing when out of the pool as well. I don't have any idea what may have him doing this but then give him a few minutes then he comes back to where the girls are hanging out. Maybe someone else can give me an idea on what's been going on to cause him to do this. Any ideas would be appreciated!!!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Maybe someone can tell me if their ducks do the same as my KC drake. My KC's are free roaming in my backyard all evening for now until I can build my pen/coop for them but the past few nights I have been going out and checking on them which usually they're in their pool hanging out all night. Anyhow, they've just been hanging out close to the house either on the back deck or around the pool which is really close to the house as well. I turn on the back porch light and take my flashlight and shine on them, the drake then proceeds to jump out of the pool or just take off running for the very back part of our fenced in yard. He really takes off like a jet plane or someone put a fire under his butt. Before a few days ago when they was in their pool they would just swim to one side and hang out but now he jumps out and takes off, he's also been doing when out of the pool as well. I don't have any idea what may have him doing this but then give him a few minutes then he comes back to where the girls are hanging out. Maybe someone else can give me an idea on what's been going on to cause him to do this. Any ideas would be appreciated!!!!!!

I wonder if turning the flash light on him startles him and he jumps and runs because of being startled? I will say this your ducks are just that sitting ducks being left outside at night with no protection from predators it's just a matter of time before they find the free meal your providing.

 

[Amiga]

Your ducks need to be inside at night till the shelter gets built. And many ducks are frightened by flashlights.

 

[subhanalah]

Sounds like a typical male reaction to a possible predator situation. He runs away from the nest, trying to distract away from the girls any possible predator (you and your flashlight).

Now, what this tells me is that he is feeling incredibly vulnerable and scared.
They need a safe place at night, even if it's a temporary fence filled with pine shavings in your garage overnight, in the meantime.

 

[Dr. Todd]

"Sounds like a typical male reaction to a possible predator situation. He runs away from the nest, trying to distract away from the girls any possible predator"

Domestic ducks don't do this. Their wild mallard ancestors don't do this. The bird is just spooked and bails from the pool, don't read too deep into it.