Observations on duck intelligence

[DanielleGut]

That's soo adorable!

 

[nao57]

The wagging tail thing is priceless. I've wondered about that so many times. I do think its positive too, and mine do it. Most peoples do...but sometimes I wish I had more proof it was a good sign of intelligence or friendliness, I guess. Just thinking aloud.

I guess we don't have to prove it...?

 

[DanielleGut]

The wagging tail thing is priceless. I've wondered about that so many times. I do think its positive too, and mine do it. Most peoples do...but sometimes I wish I had more proof it was a good sign of intelligence or friendliness, I guess. Just thinking aloud.

I guess we don't have to prove it...?

Whatever it is, it looks super cute!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Duck behavior is awesome! I’ve really enjoyed clicker training them to do a few things. I think I mentioned elsewhere, but they also have a routine to bedtime. When they go into the coop, if I don’t say “Yay!” in a really happy voice, they’re super quiet. But usually if I say it as a verbal reward, the male bobs the whole front of his body down and they quack constantly, getting very excited. The “yay” became a verbal reward after initially clicker training to go into the coop without fuss. They’re very smart- and they retain memory for things they’ve been taught even months after. If I put the bell in front of them for instance, they know still to ring it for a snack.

 

[DanielleGut]

Duck behavior is awesome! I’ve really enjoyed clicker training them to do a few things. I think I mentioned elsewhere, but they also have a routine to bedtime. When they go into the coop, if I don’t say “Yay!” in a really happy voice, they’re super quiet. But usually if I say it as a verbal reward, the male bobs the whole front of his body down and they quack constantly, getting very excited. The “yay” became a verbal reward after initially clicker training to go into the coop without fuss. They’re very smart- and they retain memory for things they’ve been taught even months after. If I put the bell in front of them for instance, they know still to ring it for a snack.

What!!! That is soo neat!!! Now mine do go into thier coop all by themselves, always have. But I didn't know you could train them!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Yes! Our last group was so difficult about going into the coop. Especially if bad weather is coming or we need to secure them up before leaving and it’s not quite dark- it was always a hassle to put the others up. So this time, reward based training made it fun to go in and they’ll watch for cues to go up. Usually I just walk in and say “Let’s go to bed!” (The chickens respond to “Up up!” or “Go to bed girls” usually but they’re nowhere near as flawless about putting themselves to bed like the ducks).

 

[DanielleGut]

Yes! Our last group was so difficult about going into the coop. Especially if bad weather is coming or we need to secure them up before leaving and it’s not quite dark- it was always a hassle to put the others up. So this time, reward based training made it fun to go in and they’ll watch for cues to go up. Usually I just walk in and say “Let’s go to bed!” (The chickens respond to “Up up!” or “Go to bed girls” usually but they’re nowhere near as flawless about putting themselves to bed like the ducks).

I need to try this!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Before they were really good at it, here are our ducks ringing the bell as youngsters in case anyone is interested

 

[chickens really]

Not really intelligent but easy to condition to preform certain repetitive cues.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

mine know when it’s bedtime. i was 10 minutes late, and they were all standing outside the house quacking. they were probably wondering why i was inside and they weren’t .

they also get super excited when they see their harnesses or travel carriers. they know when they are going for adventures.

one of my girls tries to open her own treats all the time but hasn’t been able to yet lol