Very loud and continual quacking

[Lil Drake40]

I think most of us do leave feed out during the day my main reason is they are laying so I feel they need the nourishment, and they get hungry.

 

[Mudbillkisses]

I think most of us do leave feed out during the day my main reason is they are laying so I feel the need the nourishment, and they get hungry.

Ok, thanks! I tend to agree with that. I've seen a few different perspectives here on the forum on that. Do you find that other animals eat the food considerably like squirrels?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Maybe. I was interested in hearing about how feeding and our presence may make a difference since those seem to be triggering variables. Since others have commented constructively on that. I know where you stand though. Thanks for contributing.

Maybe the Ancona sees you and just likes to hear herself, and wants you to hear her? Do you react when she is doing it? Animals tend to feed off of our energy as well.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I leave feed out all day - they don't get any once they are tucked into their house for the night though.

 

[CrystaBub]

Same here. Food all day but not at night.

 

[Lil Drake40]

Ok, thanks! I tend to agree with that. I've seen a few different perspectives here on the forum on that. Do you find that other animals eat the food considerably like squirrels?

I imagine it’s a problem anytime we sit food out. I feed the wild birds because I enjoy it but it helps keep them out of the feed I put out for the flock. Other animals like squirrels chipmonks not much we can do about them.

 

[Mudbillkisses]

Maybe the Ancona sees you and just likes to hear herself, and wants you to hear her? Do you react when she is doing it? Animals tend to feed off of our energy as well.

It took me a few days to respond here but during that time I was able to spend more time outside and made an effort to really talk to her and interact more than is usually feasible during the day/work week. Especially during times when she was more relaxed- and lower energy. This helped and seemed to put a chink in the crazy quacking feedback loop! I think you are spot on. She has always responded to my voice, with various quacks but when this yelling quack started it seemed she didn't want us around. So when she would do this immediately after seeing us and wouldn't settle down, I would leave (and she would stop). Ducks can be relationally complex animals too. Go figure.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Glad to hear that you figured her out! My drake gets all excited with his tail wagging and whispering quacks when he sees me too. The girls are excited too, but usually not as excited as he is. I have a hen that squeals every time she hears me come out the side garage door.
Animals definitely are interesting and funny!

 

[Mudbillkisses]

I imagine it’s a problem anytime we sit food out. I feed the wild birds because I enjoy it but it helps keep them out of the feed I put out for the flock. Other animals like squirrels chipmonks not much we can do about them.

Leaving food out never used to be an issue until now- I have a few squirrels who will eat most if not all of the food so I have a hard time gauging if she's getting so worked up when she sees us because she's hungry. Even though she shouldn't be because I have been leaving food out- damn squirrels can really put away layer feed ; )

 

[Miss Lydia]

Stinkers. Only other option would be to get one of hose grandpa feeders that they have to step on before it will open for the feed.