What is my drake up to? (suspicious behavior)

[KathiQuacks]

Hi, y’all!

My eldest drake, Cherry, has been acting awfully suspicious recently.. Every now and then, when I head outside, I’ll see him racing out of my alpaca corral! Today’s the first day I’ve been able to capture what he’s doing through a window. I’ve attached the evidence below,

As you can see, he’s… Well, what is he doing? I watched him for a while, and he seemed to just be standing there inside the ragweed. I went outside, and he ran away, like usual. Upon inspecting the area, there are no eggs, just a small clearing where he was standing. No one else is ever with him, either, it’s always just him.

Here’s some possible options for what he’s doing,
1. He wants one of his girlfriends to make a nest there.
2. He wants to make a nest there himself (he’s been “broody” before..).
3. He’s found a tasty treat stash, and he’s keeping it all to himself!
4. He’s practicing his hiding skills, and doing a very super good job!!
5. He wants some alone time (8 children, 3 girlfriends.. it’s tough!).
6. Something else?

Let me know what y’all think!

 

[GracePoultry]

obviously he's decided the grass really is greener on the other side and he isn't letting the alpacas have it all to themselves.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It’s most likely the tall weeds providing safety from aerial predators. My ducks prefer the taller grasses and my drake always likes to keep my hen in the taller grass areas as much as possible. She still does her own thing, but he will try to corral her back to the tall grass when she goes out in the open.

 

[KathiQuacks]

It’s most likely the tall weeds providing safety from aerial predators. My ducks prefer the taller grasses and my drake always likes to keep my hen in the taller grass areas as much as possible. She still does her own thing, but he will try to corral her back to the tall grass when she goes out in the open.

That could be an actual answer, lol. If so, I don’t think he’s hiding from anything specific. Perhaps it’s just more comfortable?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That could be an actual answer, lol. If so, I don’t think he’s hiding from anything specific. Perhaps it’s just more comfortable?

Yes it is usually a comfort thing. It makes them feel safe enough that they don’t have to constantly watch their backs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Forgive me for jumping in but I like that answer. Disclaimer: i don't have ducks. But it seems to me to make sense. After all, don't ducks in the wild prefer tall grasses rather than mowed areas to hide in, for safety? I think he just feels safer there. But what do I know?

 

[KathiQuacks]

Forgive me for jumping in but I like that answer. Disclaimer: i don't have ducks. But it seems to me to make sense. After all, don't ducks in the wild prefer tall grasses rather than mowed areas to hide in, for safety? I think he just feels safer there. But what do I know?

No, I’m glad you’re here! I wanted anyone to answer, seriously or sarcastically

He went to this spot a couple more times today, and I definitely think he views it as a safe space. I also heard him making his quiet, chattering sound in there which, in the past, means he thinks the spot is a good nesting ground.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He reminds me of the lioness in Secondhand Lions. The corn patch was the closest thing she'd ever seen to a jungle.

 

[Squawkers]

He reminds me of the lioness in Secondhand Lions. The corn patch was the closest thing she'd ever seen to a jungle.

I love that movie

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

Woooow... this thread looks great!!

Waiting here to see the replies, but for the time being, here I go :

A neighbour's food is ALWAYS better - don't ask why...

When I let my ducks and chickens freerange together, the chickens desperatly run to my ducks' feeders to steal their food... even to the feeders that have the exact same food in!

The ducks, of course, do the same : they go to the chickens' feeders to eat the food there...

(When my neighbour was still alive, her cats refused to eat the food she bought for them : instead, they prefered to go beg to my door for me to feed them.
And then, when she decided to just buy the same food than me, the cats STILL refused to eat it : it is just always better at the neighbour's, even if it is the exact same thing!!)

Animals are weird, so your drake really could just eat the grass there because it is not (usually?) his.