Odd Duck Behavior Part 2

[allyallyjohnson]

So I have a TON of questions so I have split it up into two posts
Okay, as I said I purchased my ducks 2 months ago from Tractor Supply and they could not tell me the sex of my ducks, as of right now they both look the same (no curled tail feathers, green heads ect.) but one of the ducks is more of a leader, he/she is more willing to eat out of my hand and it doesn't necessarily attack people but it does kind of try to jump on your legs at times. The same outgoing duck tries to jump on my dog (she's a lab/jack russel mix so she is definitely not small) and it kind of discourages her she'll run away scared. I know I was worried about her attacking the ducks but when they try to "play" she just gets upset and runs away not even trying to nip at them or anything. I just don't know how to keep the ducks from harassing the dog because I think it is beginning depress her! I think the outgoing duck might actually be a boy and the more shy/calm (not too shy she/he will eat out of my hand as well) duck that generally seems to follow the other duck around is girl. Those are just theories of course. I am hoping for two girls but hey you never know!

 

[veronicasmom]

I would be very careful with any terrier mix around smaller animals. They are hardwired to "go after" prey. And labs are bird dogs. So, IMO, you are asking for trouble if you allow interaction with her and the ducks. I know there are people on her who swear their dogs and ducks are ok together, but I, personally, don't think with that breed mix, you are totally safe. If she finally has enough and decides straighten things out, it could end badly for your ducks.

Personality is not always an indicator of sex in ducks. Some of my girls are much more outgoing than my drake. Some are not. What kind of noises do they make? Quacking or little raspy sounds? That might be a better way to tell which sex they are. And if you have a boy and a girl, you might want to add at least one other girl. The males can be relentless in their mating and injure or kill a female. You can't blame them, that is what nature makes them do. They are not doing it to be evil. So, it is good to make sure the odds are that one girl can get a rest occasionally.

 

[allyallyjohnson]

My dog actually runs away in fear when the ducks even try to waddle near her now. I don't know why but she has been terrified of the ducks since we got them when they were little. Still we do not leave her outside unsupervised.

The thing is neither one of my ducks are actually quacking but they don't sound like they are making a raspy/frog in throat sound. Granted, they do not sound like they did when they were little babies but they still do kind of peep. As far as I've seen the duck that does try to jump on us has not tried to jump on the other duck.