Super Aggressive Mallard Duckling

[FlaneryFlock]

Oh, she is not going to win when I hold her, she fights and bites but I won't put her down until she is calm and stops being a small Rottweiler.
I never knew that about crests, I always thought it was just feathers and nothing else. That might be it then.
I'm a little new to ducklings do I can't pinpoint their age, thanks for helping me out! A friend vent sexed her but since she's older than I thought it could still be a chance she's a drake.
I did the giraffe then, she chirped in confusion and then followed it. Only when I reached back in there to put it in the original spot did she turn into a velociraptor. I don't plan on giving up on her or selling her to someone else to deal with. I like a challenge.

 

[fowl farm]

You might find this helpful;

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/707110/the-truth-behind-crested-ducks

 

[FlaneryFlock]

Oh wow.. I didn't know about all that. She was the only one with a crest though, so is it a random mutation that can happen at any time?

 

[fowl farm]

I don't know a whole lot about it, but it sounds like it's a gene defect that's passed on. Not really sure

 

[fowl farm]

Here, I found this link on the Crested Duck thread and it talks about it. It is genetic and if you let your Mallard hatch babies, and she was bred with a duck carrying the crested gene, they would, most likely, die. If she's bred with a duck that doesn't carry the gene, then you'll end up with some crested ducklings and some non-crested ducklings.

http://www.faithvalleywaterfowl.com/crested_call_genetics.html

 

[Kevin565]

Oh wow.. I didn't know about all that. She was the only one with a crest though, so is it a random mutation that can happen at any time?

It is a gene that some people breed for. It can sometimes pop up in later generations randomly but this is not as common.

 

[jdywntr]

The behavior could very well be a result of the crested gene. I duckling that young is typically going to run from something scary. Protectiveness or agression is usually only seen in mothers with ducklings or hormonal drakes.

Temperament is also genetic, at least partly. So it could just be a "bad" duckling. It could grow out of it, could not. I'd try to make your encounters with it as pleasant as possible. I, personally, wouldn't hold it until it stops struggling as submission (like in a puppy) isn't normal in ducks. As a prey animal, they don't really have the fight or flight survival instinct, only the flight.
I'd sit quietly and ignore hissing behavior and reward good behavior. Offer age appropriate treats to the other ducklings and show that you are not a threat.

 

[duckman4450]

If I were you, I would hold her until she stops hissing and trying to get out of your grip, and then when she stops give her some thawed out frozen peas. Nothing my little mallards loved more than peas!!!!!

 

[Frank Phinster]

Although it is important for the duck to get used to be picked up, I would not do it every time you encounter it. Picking up means stress and I am afraid that before the duck learns that you are no harm it will connect your appearence with the unpleasant event of being cought and fear you the more.
I would try to get her used to your handling, but give it a break now and then and just offer it some treats so it rather thinks of you as a food dispenser than a predator.
And if it is true that it suffers brain damage from the crest, any kind of "therapy" might have little effect.

Interesting that it follows the giraffe. That means that the stuffed animal is at least a companion, a "sibling" to the duckling and that is has bonded with it.
I would try to at least let the duckling have sight contact with the other ducklings. I guess complete desocialisation is impractical if you plan to keep them together one day soon.

 

[FlaneryFlock]

She hasn't made a significant difference lately. I do take long breaks from holding her, and when I don't hold her I take about 5 minutes to even just rest my hand in there with her. I feel bad because she can't enjoy treats or even take a short bath, doing normal duck things because she is always hissing or charging at me. She will not take any kinds of treats from me either. :/