Odd behaviors observed recently... O.o

[nao57]

So I wanted to post about this because it was definitely odd for both incidents. And I'm very interested in how the minds of the birds work, and what makes them 'smart' or 'dumb'.

Yesterday I fed the small flock (7 ducks, 2 chickes; all about 11 weeks... or was it 10 weeks old?). After I was done I sat down in my chair to observe them and also rest my body that kind of hurt. I was a bit surprised when the smallest chicken jumped up and landed on my shoulder.

I have no idea why she did that. But she did. And normally they don't like me touching them.

Incident #2, I had a duckling that's about 5 days old in the basement under a heat lamp. The other eggs didn't hatch; and it seems that over half were infertile. But the other half I had some egg incubator issues, plus some newbie issues. Anyway, this one duckling was in a rubbermade container. And at the time I was trying to move an appliance in the basement and the black electrical cord end fell inside its box.

This freaked the crap out of the little duckling and he was crying for help.

Anyway, It might me think...he probably thought the cord and its end with the prongs falling in his box was a snake. If it looked like a predator yes, he might look scared.

That's what I thought was also interesting.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You sat still so your chick felt safer approaching you. They like to be up higher as they can see predators better.

The duckling was following its instincts to run from nearly everything because everything will eat ducklings.

 

[aart]

Neither behaviors are odd.
I would not encourage allow the jumping onto your shoulder, bad habit IMO.

 

[nao57]

Neither behaviors are odd.
I would not encourage allow the jumping onto your shoulder, bad habit IMO.

Your right.

I'd be scarred for life if there was a 'venting' episode right then.

 

[nao57]

So today and yesterday also another behavior surfaced since the last time I posted.

When I went outside the side door of the house to go feed the ducks, the alarm duck quacked loud, and he's been doing it whenever I go outside the house, but not always to feed them. They probably think or hope its to feed them.

But what's weird about it is that the dog pen that protects the ducks from predators and houses them at night etc is behind the garage. And the garage is way far back of the house, in a way that the side of the house isn't visible to the ducks. And its also about 50 feet or so away from the front of the garage, and with other stuff in the way also.

So how is it they know its me when they can't see me? And they are able to sound the alarm. Its the same duck doing the alarm quack each time. Its a loud peking honk like quack.

The side door is noisy when it opens and shuts. Its possible they are recognizing this noise.

But still that would require pretty good brains for them to do that (for birds anyway).

It seems interesting.

 

[LavenderHen]

Your right.

I'd be scarred for life if there was a 'venting' episode right then.

What is a venting episode

 

[Christinalandry2013]

I think she meant if it pooped on her she would be scarred for life..

 

[aart]

I'd be scarred for life if there was a 'venting' episode right then.

Being pooped on is the least of it,
a peck or a toenail to the eye could really ruin your day ...or life.

Its possible they are recognizing this noise.

Yes.