Why do my Pekin hens do this??

[HeatherKellyB]

That's the "Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!" aka disco move. They are telling everyone that he is theirs so they need to back off. It's hilarious. Your ducks are so beautiful!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

This is what charging looks like. She gets so mad at me for carrying her to the run, but sometimes she's more mad and does this. Of course she doesn't do anything else and if I turn towards her, she stops because she's a sweetheart.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Notice my LOUD Pekin in the background If they charge, they hold their heads down and walk aka charge towards you. It's almost obvious that they're unhappy. You're ducks don't seem to be upset at all. They are claiming their drake

 

[FernbergFarms]

Thank you!! I’ve been wondering for awhile why they do that, thanks for letting me know! Your duck is soo pretty!! I love her soft brown color The other night I went to go put my ducks away because I heard coyotes and when I got out side my runner charged at me and ran into my hands! I think he thought I was a coyote because it was dark and I just snuck up on them without warning. But when he heard my voice he turned around and all of them ran straight to their house! I couldn’t believe he would try to attack or charge at another animal, he always seemed pretty calm and would let the other drakes do that. I found that interesting

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Thank you!! I’ve been wondering for awhile why they do that, thanks for letting me know! Your duck is soo pretty!! I love her soft brown color The other night I went to go put my ducks away because I heard coyotes and when I got out side my runner charged at me and ran into my hands! I think he thought I was a coyote because it was dark and I just snuck up on them without warning. But when he heard my voice he turned around and all of them ran straight to their house! I couldn’t believe he would try to attack or charge at another animal, he always seemed pretty calm and would let the other drakes do that. I found that interesting

You're welcome! Thank you. She looks so different now. She molted in darker than she's ever been! I just recently learned that there are actually many colors in a Buff Orpington Duck and I'm so surprised to see more color as she gets older. Between my Buff Duck and Pekin Duck, they are without doubt louder than my Calls. My Calls quack A LOT more, but I am constantly running out thinking something is after my big ducks only to find them just hanging out passing the time quacking The Calls are usually quacking at something. I love to hear ducks quacking so I'm a lucky one! Ooohhh Runners! I will have some someday. I just love them!
I have a protective Cayuga drake and I love hearing about your Runner drake being protective. My Pekin drake is like "Run!" after he's hiding

 

[FernbergFarms]

my khaki Campbell’s colors keep changing on my too! Their heads were green and now their black with no distinct male colors I hope my runner doesn’t change colors. I had a runner hen but she got took a few months ago, but now I’m thinking, if my pekin drake tried to breed with my runner she would be too skinny and break! Like my runner is so small I can’t imagine a pekin and runner together.. has anyone had a runner hen and pekin drake together? I want to get another couple runner hens next year but I don’t want to ‘set them up for failure’ with my drakes.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

my khaki Campbell’s colors keep changing on my too! Their heads were green and now their black with no distinct male colors I hope my runner doesn’t change colors. I had a runner hen but she got took a few months ago, but now I’m thinking, if my pekin drake tried to breed with my runner she would be too skinny and break! Like my runner is so small I can’t imagine a pekin and runner together.. has anyone had a runner hen and pekin drake together? I want to get another couple runner hens next year but I don’t want to ‘set them up for failure’ with my drakes.

A lot of males will molt throughout the year and look completely different. The nuptial plumage is my favorite and the most flashy, I believe. There is also an eclipse plumage. If I'm not mistaken @WVduckchick has an article or thread on the changes in plumage that I need to bookmark. Pekin Drakes and Cayuga drakes are two that don't change. I am getting to see this for the first time this year with my Calls and Aztec's and it's so incredible to see!

 

[BabyGotQuack]

I cannot unsee the disco move now mine do that too and I was always curious why as well! So good to know! As far as the quacking I’ve heard that pekins are just more vocal. For females I currently have a pekin & a khaki campbell, the pekin is way louder and quacks way more often! My campbell only quaks when she needs something (food or water usually) or when she’s excited. My pekin quacks all the time for no reason luckily we all enjoy the quacking ...... can’t say the same for the neighbors

 

[ruthhope]

Our very noisy little crested pekin makes louder but similar noises to yours and she runs around bobbing her head like that -- generally up to our drake but occasionally to our other Pekin Female. the head bobbing ritual is normal. I think ours does it when she is excited and has a lot to say. But its definitely not a threatening action. All three of ours were together from hatching, do everything in threes, and have never exhibited pecking order behavior. While the drake is notionally the alpha male, my son and I are convinced that the little minx crested is actually in charge and lets everyone know her thoughts through behaviors as in your video.