Support Group for Abused Duck Keepers

[New duck mommy 2021]

Yeah, I hug his angry outbursts. He comes running at me when I come into the garden trying to defend his lady, so I scoop him up and whisper in his neck and peck him with kisses on his neck. (Which is how I cuddled him as a baby) he calms down and curls into me like a duckling under his mother's wing.

Momma 's boy I kiss the angry Bird right out of him.

(He is a beautiful Kahki Campbell)

I Also found this works much better then trying to pin them down
I have tried all different ways but found the cuddles to work the best
My small pool noodle works great to
I have never had to touch them with it but I use to guide them into bed with the noodles so I’m thinking they see it and think bed time
I no longer need to guide my crew
They head in just before dark on their own
They also go back inside in bad weather
I leave the duck door open all day and even my laying girls will head back in to lay their egg
I seldom find one outside

 

[Miss Lydia]

@Miss Lydia, I have a psychotic drake who came at 8 weeks old from a rehabber who couldnt keep him or release him. He didnt want to be touched but would eat peas from my hand. He was sweet with my others when he first came and he rarely gets into skirmishes with the other drakes. But at 6 months old, when his hormones surged, he attacked me: flying at me full frontal, feet first. He did that twice and also made several biting attacks on my feet from behind. I tried holding him on the ground, pressing him down, but I hated doing that. So instead, I picked him up, stood him on my patio table, and held him firmly against my body until he stopped struggling.

Then a miracle happened. From my kitchen window, I saw him stood on my side gate. I dashed out as I was afraid he might cross the road and attack the toddler over there. I ran towards him but stopped as there is a step and standing on the gate, the drake was tall as I am. I slowly advanced and when I got up to him he rested his head on my shoulder and so I gave him a big long hug. He then got down on his side of the gate. All was well for two days and then he was back up on the gate. Not afraid that time, I went to him. He put his head on my shoulder and I hugged him.

He has not been on the gate since but he does periodically have biting attacks on my feet. I pick him up and put him in a dog crate in my back yard -- for just a few minutes of time out. It doesn't take long and he comes out contrite until the next time. If I have time, instead of the dog crate, I hug him and talk to him but the kindness approach takes longer than time out. If I put him down too soon,he goes for my feet again.

I'm sure its dominance behavior: I dont know why he doesnt learn that he cant win as his big duck mamma is nolonger afraid of him. Plus he's a stinker and wont bath. So she hoses him down in the summer. He doesnt like water in the same way as he doesnt like to be touched. But he does have a side kick: a special needs little pekin that thinks he is a muscovy. The two are inseperable during the day

Oh we do our cuddles too but I can't sit for an hr waiting for Opie to calm down. He is so full of himself that usually, the water is the only thing that calms him down. Of all the Muscovy drakes I have had None have ever been like Opie and that difference is me hand raising and mama duck raising.

 

[Painted Calls]

Following! I do not get abused often, but it does happen. Glad to be among peers.

 

[cooingdove]

I'm seeing muscovy drakes are the sweetest a-holes. I love it

Sometimes just plan a-holes.
Last year, all of our Muscovy hens had chicks, and their dad, THEIR OWN DAD brutally murdered several of his own children before we could seporate him. I was so disappointed. I guess he just didn’t want to be a father. But still really traumatizing for the mom.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I want to add though
There is nothing more heart warming then your ducks seeing or hearing you and come running and wag their tails with excitement
These guys have brought me so much love and joy that I could never live without ducks

Yes, I believe I will always have to have ducks now.
I think the stress will knock some years off my life-- but they're worth it

 

[BelovedBirds]

Following! I do not get abused often, but it does happen. Glad to be among peers.

Welcome!
I'm sorry to hear that!
We all understand here

 

[fluffycrow]

Welcome!
I'm sorry to hear that!
We all understand here

Not all, yet

 

[Painted Calls]

Not all, yet

So you're just preparing yourself. Got it!

 

[fluffycrow]

So you're just preparing yourself. Got it!

Well I don't know if preparing would be the right word, more so pressuring myself to get ducks by following every single duck thread on this forum

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Anyone want to make a friendly bet how fast @fluffycrow runs to get ducklings
I say no later then end of April