Weird behaviour

[BelovedBirds]

I haven't really known what to make of Sprightly's behaviour lately. For the past week or two she's been a bit off. Acts normal, eats fine, drinks fine, laying fine, she isn't out of sorts--- until I enter the duck pen. She'll puff her feathers up, hold her head tight to her chest, open her mouth, wag her tail. She'll quack pretty unhappily at me too, just for existing in the same space! I believe she is upset, that is my impression?

Now usually she is a total mama's girl, used to love cuddles and having her face stroked. But even back then, she'd hold grudges. Say I put them in the coop a little early, or take something away from her, like a toy she was enjoying. (sounds ridiculous I know, but she would literally refuse to come near me and gave me the cold shoulder if I ever did anything like this and upset her!). This would only last a day, and was never like this.

Now, around the time this behaviour started, she had taken an interest in their eggs, and was fixing up the nest. She would be stressed (even more so than her broody sister), when I'd remove eggs from the nest. But she wouldnt sit on the eggs at all. So I wasnt sure if perhaps she was getting broody?

But this has passed and the behaviour has been the same. So yesterday I decided to have a word with her. While she was doing her hostile quacks, I scooped her up, and sat down with her. Gave her some forced love and told her I was very sorry for whatever I did to offend her so badly. She seemed to enjoy the cuddle (sleepy eyes), but argued despite herself

When I let her go, she began... trying to mate with my leg. So I wasn't too sure if the talk was recieved badly or well. I kinda figured she was just being dominant, which is strange for her.

Now this morning, she withheld the angry quacks, didnt fluff up or do any of that--and ASKED for a face strokes, and enjoyed them!
She seems mostly back to herself.
I'm very confused, but any opinions on her bizarre behaviour would be appreciated!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Hormones, sounds like... And no matter how we want to transfer human traits onto our pets (subconsciously or not) they are still not human and it's near impossible for us to understand some of their behaviour.

Maybe you could get or make some fake eggs for her and do a switch in the nest, even if she doesn't sit them. Might trick her into thinking she isn't being betrayed by her mom?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds to me like hormones are askew and she isn't sure how to react. And you are the one to take it out on. Many of us are seeing weird behavior with our girls right now. My Muscovy have been hateful to each other my Runner girls were neck wrestling which rarely ever happens None are going after me or fussing at me but they are clearly going through something right now. And a few are finishing up molt. How is she acting towards her sis?

 

[ruthhope]

I think she was going broody, and now isnt anymore. The behavior is indicative of changing hormone levels. As the days draw shorter peace should reign in our duck coops until next year! Its a shaky peace with my drakes but I only have one sleeping in a dogcrate now, not four as at the end of August

 

[BelovedBirds]

Hormones, sounds like... And no matter how we want to transfer human traits onto our pets (subconsciously or not) they are still not human and it's near impossible for us to understand some of their behaviour.

Maybe you could get or make some fake eggs for her and do a switch in the nest, even if she doesn't sit them. Might trick her into thinking she isn't being betrayed by her mom?

Perhaps!

Also I know, dont worry, I'm joking about her mood swings, I know its hormones I just don't know why specifically (broodiness or otherwise).

Trust me, I will never, never try to fully comprehend the mind of a duck.
It would be futile to even try

 

[BelovedBirds]

Sounds to me like hormones are askew and she isn't sure how to react. And you are the one to take it out on. Many of us are seeing weird behavior with our girls right now. My Muscovy have been hateful to each other my Runner girls were neck wrestling which rarely ever happens None are going after me or fussing at me but they are clearly going through something right now. And a few are finishing up molt. How is she acting towards her sis?

Pretty normal, no dominance or anything there. The only new thing is Sprightly has started making a little nest, to sleep in, away from where Dougie sleeps. Usually they share a nest area to sleep in/lay in. Though, despite that, she still goes to Dougie's corner to lay her egg in there as usual.

Aside from that, no difference in behaviour with Dougie. Dougie is moulting atm, but I'm not sure if Sprightly has properly even started yet, I havent seen her losing many feathers.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I think she was going broody, and now isnt anymore. The behavior is indicative of changing hormone levels. As the days draw shorter peace should reign in our duck coops until next year! Its a shaky peace with my drakes but I only have one sleeping in a dogcrate now, not four as at the end of August

This sounds accurate, hopefully she's going to continue to chill out! I miss my Sprightly hugs!

I didnt really think about that, yeah the days are getting shorter and their routine has changed a little bit too, so thats a good point!

 

[BabyGotQuack]

Perhaps!

Also I know, dont worry, I'm joking about her mood swings, I know its hormones I just don't know why specifically (broodiness or otherwise).

Trust me, I will never, never try to fully comprehend the mind of a duck.
It would be futile to even try

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't think the FBI can even solve this case. lol

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I don't think the FBI and even solve this case. lol

You’re right. They totally couldn’t!