Weird duck motions... and mating question

[Robbo]

I have a couple questions that are different from each other... but though I will just ask them all together!

1. Both of my ducks during swimming in the pool make this motion with their bills and such like they are gagging. What are they doing? They both do it (my Kahki and Pekin) when swimming in the water.

2. Do females ask to be matted? My Khaki now keeps swimming under the water, under my Pekin (male) and she will float up in front of him and completely lay flat and sprawled out. She seemed to get frustrated because he is still pretty young so he has no idea what she is doing... lol

 

[sourland]

I have no idea whatsoever about your first question? Your Khaki is growing up. Yes she is enticing the drake to breed her. The 'flattening' in the water is the equivalent of the 'squat' from a hen.

 

[Robbo]

She started this about a week ago and today my male for the first time tried mating her as well.

Is it usual for them to start so soon before she is evening egg laying age? She is still pretty young herself and we don't except eggs from her for some time still.

 

[ducklover87]

Yes that's all normal. Why they open their bills but make no noise I have no clue but I've seen all my ducks and geese do it. It takes them awhile to get the hang of it so they start a bit before they are even ready to lay eggs. The flattening herself out is her sign to him that she wants him to mount her. Another thing you'll see is them bobbing there heads up and down which is also a mating thing.

 

[AvianEgo]

The gagging motion is how they clear water from their ears

 

[Speceider]

The gagging motion is how they clear water from their ears

Huh....how are they getting water in their ears? sorry never heard that...9one would think a long-tail duck diving to 180 feet would have real problems....seriously doubt they get water in their ears.

Clint

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Where are a duck's ears? Just curious.

 

[gryeyes]

Adolescent horniness occurs in species other than just humankind.

When the hormones start to kick in, ducks of both sexes instinctively begin to practice courting behavior.

Usually, in the duck world, all there needs to be to start it is one coquettish duck (girl) bobbing her head.

Hussies.

 

[ducklover87]

Where are a duck's ears? Just curious.

On the side of their heads behind their eyes. If you hold a duck and rub right there they will jerk their heads away when you go over it. At least that's how I accidently found my ducks ears.