What to do with aggressive Peking ducks?

[Lisi287]

We have two male Peking ducks..they are 6 months old. When we first got them we did not know what they were. We have a large yard and let them out during the day. They have two pools and their home which they go into overnight. Lately, they have become very aggressive..especially the larger one. To the point that as soon as my dog comes outside they’re doing anything and all to attack him and me if I try to stop them. One is more aggressive than the other..I feel so bad for my dog because now he can’t even come outside in the yard. I try to keep him separated and follow him to protect him from the ducks but the whole time they are searching and sneak up and then rush him to attack. I know they can’t harm him much because they do not have teeth. If I’m sitting down holding my dog in my lap they will come and try to bite his tail or leg and bite me..It’s getting to a point I really don’t know what to do. I guess they’re trying to show dominance and shown that this is their land idk? But I can’t keep this up. My dog and I should be able to enjoy our yard also. Does anyone have an idea what I can do or how to stop this behavior? I just want all of us to enjoy the yard together without feeling like we’re going to war each time we go to the backyard.

 

[HawaiiCoyote]

is there any way you could fence off a run in part of your yard? Then you could either clip their wings or use a net over the top of the run to keep them inside. Most ducks stay in a run anyway so it shouldn't bother them too much as long as they have space and water! Then you and your pupper can enjoy your yard, while sharing. It does sound like your ducks have a minor bullying issue, or they may be doing it because of boredom. Either way, a run will stop them from sneak attacking you, and your dog

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hormones are such a curse especially when drakes have no way to get rid of pent up frustrations. So you and the poor dog get the brunt of it. I'd take the advise and fence off a pen for your ducks so they have plenty of room and then your dog has his own space. I keep my flock of ducks geese and chickens separated from my dogs and only let them all be together when I can supervise, My geese were the bullies here and I had to train them to leave the dogs alone. I didn't get serious about it though until my gander nipped my dog one too many times and she grabbed him by the neck, thank goodness she didnt bite down but it was enough to scare me into doing something about it.

 

[Going Quackers]

Interesting, i do find Pekin drakes to be obnoxious. I have only ever had 1 but zillions of other breed drakes and they still aren't are annoying as him HOWEVER he only raised and caused trouble with the other ducks not once has he ever gone after anything else.. no barn cats, dogs.. or other livestock (chickens included)

I would agree fence off an area ... clearly the problem won't end well especially if the dog gets aggressive as well.

 

[TJAnonymous]

We started out our duck flock last year when my DH picked up 2 Pekins from TSC. At first, we thought we had one drake and one female..... But we experienced this same attitude from our Pekins who would chase one particular hen all over the place. It didn't matter if she tried to stay out of their way or not. If they laid an eyeball on her, they would chase her until she flew up high enough on whatever she could to get away from them.

In an effort to solve the problem, I put the Pekins into a pen and picked up 5 more ducks - 4 female (2 Pekin, 2 Silver Appleyard) and 1 Silver Appleyard drake. I figured more ducks would divert their attention away from my poor hen. I also think that BOTH my original ducks are drakes...and not just 1. I realize that drakes get more frisky in the spring time due to mating season, but I watch them throughout the day from my office (I work from home) and those Pekins are just mean. They bully and chase the others all around the pen. They tend to leave squirrels alone, but anything else that comes into the pen gets soundly trounced by a big duck with a bad attitude. I'm almost afraid to let them out to free range with the hens because the bad attitudes don't seem to have changed much, but we'll see what happens this weekend when we give it a try. If the bad behavior continues, I may just have to cull the Pekin males.

 

[Lisi287]

is there any way you could fence off a run in part of your yard? Then you could either clip their wings or use a net over the top of the run to keep them inside. Most ducks stay in a run anyway so it shouldn't bother them too much as long as they have space and water! Then you and your pupper can enjoy your yard, while sharing. It does sound like your ducks have a minor bullying issue, or they may be doing it because of boredom. Either way, a run will stop them from sneak attacking you, and your dog

Thank you so much for the idea..I will see about doing just that. Yes!! Major bullies ..I appreciate your reply. Thanks so much

 

[Lisi287]

Hormones are such a curse especially when drakes have no way to get rid of pent up frustrations. So you and the poor dog get the brunt of it. I'd take the advise and fence off a pen for your ducks so they have plenty of room and then your dog has his own space. I keep my flock of ducks geese and chickens separated from my dogs and only let them all be together when I can supervise, My geese were the bullies here and I had to train them to leave the dogs alone. I didn't get serious about it though until my gander nipped my dog one too many times and she grabbed him by the neck, thank goodness she didnt bite down but it was enough to scare me into doing something about it.

Yes!! Their hormones are insane ..oh my goodness so sorry about your dog..thank goodness everything was ok. I definitely have to do something and will look into building a pen for them. Thanks so much

 

[Lisi287]

Interesting, i do find Pekin drakes to be obnoxious. I have only ever had 1 but zillions of other breed drakes and they still aren't are annoying as him HOWEVER he only raised and caused trouble with the other ducks not once has he ever gone after anything else.. no barn cats, dogs.. or other livestock (chickens included)

I would agree fence off an area ... clearly the problem won't end well especially if the dog gets aggressive as well.

Yes, I will be looking into closing an area for them..thankfully my dog is the sweetest thing..he cries and runs away ..they are so lucky he isn’t the type to snap back at them. Thank you

 

[Lisi287]

We started out our duck flock last year when my DH picked up 2 Pekins from TSC. At first, we thought we had one drake and one female..... But we experienced this same attitude from our Pekins who would chase one particular hen all over the place. It didn't matter if she tried to stay out of their way or not. If they laid an eyeball on her, they would chase her until she flew up high enough on whatever she could to get away from them.

In an effort to solve the problem, I put the Pekins into a pen and picked up 5 more ducks - 4 female (2 Pekin, 2 Silver Appleyard) and 1 Silver Appleyard drake. I figured more ducks would divert their attention away from my poor hen. I also think that BOTH my original ducks are drakes...and not just 1. I realize that drakes get more frisky in the spring time due to mating season, but I watch them throughout the day from my office (I work from home) and those Pekins are just mean. They bully and chase the others all around the pen. They tend to leave squirrels alone, but anything else that comes into the pen gets soundly trounced by a big duck with a bad attitude. I'm almost afraid to let them out to free range with the hens because the bad attitudes don't seem to have changed much, but we'll see what happens this weekend when we give it a try. If the bad behavior continues, I may just have to cull the Pekin males.

That is exactly how these are..one is more aggressive than the other but as soon as they see my dog come out the door they go into attack mode they run and fly a little to get to him fast and just rush him and try to bite him but he’s quicker for the most part it’s just sometimes when I stop them my dog will be on one side then they kind of sneak and rush him from the back push him into a corner ..it’s crazy how much they want to get him I’m in the middle and they are jumping and going at me like they don’t care they have a mission to get him..I hope you have better luck soon with yours..thank you