Why does my duck jump and charge like this? (Video)

[HeatherKellyB]

That's what I figured. She got her point across loud and clear. I hate to laugh about it but this is the sweetest girl any other time. She just doesn't want to be carried. My Cayuga Drake, Stormy, bites the entire way. He doesn't like to get my skin in his bill but I figured that's because he thinks my clothes are my feathers, so he steadily rips, yanks and jerks at my "feathers" for the entire walk. Once I put them back down on the ground and they let me know how angry I just made them, we're a happy family until the next morning. I keep waiting for Tom to start charging at me with her 3lb self. Thankfully, they'll happily follow me back down to the duck house at night. I wish they'd follow me in the morning but their duck house is right on the bank on the pond and I know they'd be on the pond before I could even utter their names. My Pekin with a bad limp due to bone erosion from chronic bumblefoot, is kept in the fenced area because I lost my Mallard to a neighbor dogs. All of the ducks started hanging out at the fence wanting to be close to my Pekin, Honey. I didn't feel like they were safe being so far from the water, so I just started putting everyone in the fence. They just absolutely HATE being carried up there every morning

 

[KaleIAm]

That's what I figured. She got her point across loud and clear. I hate to laugh about it but this is the sweetest girl any other time. She just doesn't want to be carried. My Cayuga Drake, Stormy, bites the entire way. He doesn't like to get my skin in his bill but I figured that's because he thinks my clothes are my feathers, so he steadily rips, yanks and jerks at my "feathers" for the entire walk. Once I put them back down on the ground and they let me know how angry I just made them, we're a happy family until the next morning. I keep waiting for Tom to start charging at me with her 3lb self. Thankfully, they'll happily follow me back down to the duck house at night. I wish they'd follow me in the morning but their duck house is right on the bank on the pond and I know they'd be on the pond before I could even utter their names. My Pekin with a bad limp due to bone erosion from chronic bumblefoot, is kept in the fenced area because I lost my Mallard to a neighbor dogs. All of the ducks started hanging out at the fence wanting to be close to my Pekin, Honey. I didn't feel like they were safe being so far from the water, so I just started putting everyone in the fence. They just absolutely HATE being carried up there every morning

Mine are sweethearts, follow me everywhere, come when called, ect. I only pick them up for medication and taking them to the vet because... well they feel that picking up ducks is unacceptable. I give them apology mealworms after putting them back down. I think it helps them forgive me quicker. :-D

I just have to remember to take the mealworms out of my pocket before washing my jacket...

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I'll have to try meal worms again. They're pretty picky about treats. Their favorites are minnows

 

[KaleIAm]

I'll have to try meal worms again. They're pretty picky about treats. Their favorites are minnows

Oh, if they are used to eating live stuff they might be weirded out by the texture. Mine were at first. I acclimated them by soaking the mealworms in water. I needed to find an easier way to train them than digging up bugs myself everytime! Now they are used to it and obsessed.

 

[Abriana]

I have two buff drakes (no females) and they both do that, I was also curious as to why!

 

[sourland]

He's flirting, she's going 'hands off'.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Oh, if they are used to eating live stuff they might be weirded out by the texture. Mine were at first. I acclimated them by soaking the mealworms in water. I needed to find an easier way to train them than digging up bugs myself everytime! Now they are used to it and obsessed.

Thanks for this very helpful tip! They loved meal worms as ducklings but once they tasted freedom and all of the squiggly wiggly stuff from the pond and yard, they got very picky. I will oftentimes purchase 4 dozen minnows for them but unless it's cold outside, they don't survive more than one day. They, especially Tom, try to convince me that 4 dozen minnows is ONLY 12 for each of them and they have no problem taking care of this for me within an hour of getting them, hahaha! Using a net to fish for minnows from our pond isn't going as well since it's cooling off. They do enjoy the water crickets that are scooped up in the net, but I just hate touching them and chasing regular crickets that jump around the yard is very time comsuming! I am thrilled to know that I'm not the only one that does this I'll definitely try soaking them. This thread has made my day, all day long! @DuckyVeit thank you for this wonderful thread!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

@DuckyVeit is your other Drake a Mallard? I had a Mallard Drake and absolutely adored him! Your boys are so handsome. They both look very happy and very well cared for.

 

[DuckyVeit]

@DuckyVeit is your other Drake a Mallard? I had a Mallard Drake and absolutely adored him! Your boys are so handsome. They both look very happy and very well cared for.

He's a Rouen, and he's always been much more social with us. My Pekin isn't rude or anything, he just prefers to be loved from afar. Unless I have treats, of course, suddenly I'm his BFF.