Strange Gandar behavior with a duck...

[mominoz]

I have had geese for over a decade. But I have 2 Buff African gandars, coming 2yr. They have 4 grey wives. No fighting (I have had some other birds start fighting and have to separated in the past in spring).. They have a very long night pen with 2 houses and they all like to stay together , until I let them out in pasture in day time. I have been watching for any sign of fighting ....none, but they are let out with a group of Saxony ducks. I noticed the less dominat gandar bowing his head and following a Saxony duck twice... I am wondering if he thinks she is 'the right color, like me' or if he was kinda chasing her off...or what. He wasn't getting too close, just sort of herding her with a bowed head staying about 6 ft or more away.... He was raised with two of the grey females so I didn't think it was an identity crisis ( like a runner drake that tried to breed a goose before!).. and the duck wasn't really that near the other geese, she was more off on her own, not near the other Saxony..... just strange... He didn't go after her and bite at her , like I have seen some smaller geese go after bigger drakes... but the sizing is so far off , I didn't really think he wanted to try to breed...?

 

[nchls school]

It is quite likely for a gander to court a female duck when they don't have a mate. I once had an "odd couple" mate and walk around together for a year; the duck hen died.

 

[mominoz]

Yes...but he is one of 2 males and 4 females....so he should be able to court at least one of the girls...LOL and I have not seen the other gandar even fuss at him....

 

[Miss Lydia]

I had an Embden gander who was hatched by a Muscovy duck and after he grew up took her for his mate. Sounds like he’s possibly looking at her as a potential mate? Maybe your other gander has taken both females for his own.

 

[mominoz]

I have had some ducks that if raised with others for a time think that is their family. Right now I have a runner who wants to be with the Saxony , and a Saxony who wants to be with the runners... When all out together they split into their" I was raised with them "...I did catch a runner trying to mate a goose last year....;0) I was wondering if maybe he 'didn't know what to do'....but yesterday I watched both gandars mate the same female...and since I am only getting 1 egg every 2 days...I think maybe only one female is laying...out of the 4...so at least I know now ...he knows what to do...