Tips on curbing mallard drake agression?

[Isaac 0]

For starters, I have a mallard pair which I got at more or less at one week of age. Currently, they're about one year, their birthday is next week. They never exactly imprinted on me and I can walk up to them and pick them up and whatnot. Recently, my Drake has become absolutely terrible. He detests shoes of any sort, won't let me touch the hen without being bitten, won't take treats/let my hen eat them. Basically, he's mean. I've tried picking him up, pining him down, locking him up. Nothing works for the long term, no matter how long I do it. 5-10 minutes and he comes back to bite me when my back is turned. He never does it when I'm facing him.

Will this pass?I'm aware with the coming of spring they go crazy but this is a bit sudden. He used to be such a sweet duck. I have two females ducklings that I'm raising so the poor girl doesn't have to bear all of his urges by herself. She gets so upset without him. They're my pets so I have no interest in getting rid of him. My girl on the other hand is great, nice as can be! And a great egg layer.

Take a broom or stick out with you, if he attacks give him a good nudge with it. Not much you can do, drakes are bat crazy in the springtime.

 

[trebkiwi]

It really just depends on the duck, some ducks will pass the phase and some wont. I have two drakes and three hens. Never had one of my ducks attacked me before but they are kind of scared of us but they were also really shy of us when they were babies too

I see... I really hope he passes this phase then. I'm getting real tired of treating him like this. And mine were quite shy as well, didn't know if it's just a mallard thing or not. My pekins however, love people.

 

[Isaac 0]

I see... I really hope he passes this phase then. I'm getting real tired of treating him like this. And mine were quite shy as well, didn't know if it's just a mallard thing or not. My pekins however, love people.

Nope, I've found Mallards to be the craziest of all duck breeds, since they retain so much of there wild ancestors.

 

[trebkiwi]

Take a broom or stick out with you, if he attacks give him a good nudge with it. Not much you can do, drakes are bat crazy in the springtime.

That's a good idea! My ducks run from me when I carry my rake. So I'll be trying that.
I also tried a spray bottle but I honestly think that made him more upset

 

[trebkiwi]

It's spring and all the drakes get crazy.

I see, hopefully he'll calm down come summer.

 

[trebkiwi]

Ya, thats possible. It will probably pass after spring.

I really hope so! He was so good before

 

[trebkiwi]

How Many females do you have? My drake has been doing the same thing in spring because he only has one female so I'm getting some more females this year. At least three more.

I have one female and two on the way. Honestly, good idea I think my boy is getting impatient as well

 

[trebkiwi]

Sorry having trouble with keyboard

Haha all good!

 

[trebkiwi]

Nope, I've found Mallards to be the craziest of all duck breeds, since they retain so much of there wild ancestors.

And I could also just be him being protective of his girl

He goes crazy whenever I try to even breathe in her direction. It's a shame cause she loves affection. So... Probably!

 

[FarmInProgress]

Hopefully he’ll calm down if you get more hens with him