http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ Farming Friends Forum Tag: Duck behaviour en Fri, 24 May 2013 09:01:50 +0000 http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23405 Wed, 08 May 2013 16:52:10 +0000 duskhunter 23405@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>It does sound as though this has been sorted Ani. As long as he is interested in you large duck and is leaving the smaller ones you don't need to worry. Your big duck may get a bald neck if he is too passionate with her but unelss it is very sore it is not a massive problem we have often joked about making them scarves as protection agains the amorous advances of the boys!<br /> They are funny they do not like being apart but suffer when they are together! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23404 Tue, 07 May 2013 19:11:36 +0000 ani 23404@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>sorry, havent been on for a while :) we have sorted the problem (mostly.) do ducks tend to 'mate for life' like swans or something as our drake is obsessed with our other bigger duck. he chases after us and he puffs himslf up if we go near her. the 3 smaller ones are separated, one on eggs and i will have the other 2 together soon as one was recovering from a bad eye ( which is now completely healed!) but I fear that if i did separate the drake and female he is with now, it will affect both of them. They are happy waddling about in the garden during the day and they sleep in the same house. I'm hoping we have sorted this out now, and hopefully we will have some new additions in a few weeks! </p> <p>thank you all so much for putting up with me!</p> <p>ani xxx </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23403 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:41:33 +0000 m40mo 23403@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>ani this has all been a shock for you and fully understand your upset, ok you are only 14 im 55 and still gets frustrated trying to keep them all happy and safe, they are clearly your pets but you are still a child you need help from your parents to try and sort this problem, you say you need drastic help we can only tell you what we do they need to sort this for you </p> <p>your drake is the issue, I see no point in getting rid of the girls you have and getting more, im not sure where you home your ducks but for now I suggest he is put on his own to give you time to think what to do, this can't carry on like this one dead duck is enough :(<br /> I've just looked back and seen you had the same problem last year, what did you do then ? </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23401 Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:20:49 +0000 duskhunter 23401@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Ani,<br /> If you don't separate your drake from the gils he will just carry on doing damage. The small ducks will be most prone to it and it is not only heartbreaking it is not fair on the girls. It is his natural instinct of course but I had a drake drown two girls in breeding season so I separate them now unless I want to hatch eggs and even then I separate them after a while as the drakes can be just so heavy footed/beaked whatever the girls are entitled to live without injury from him. My girls go and sit the other side of the wire netting to keep the drakes company and then they are let back together around the end of October till about the end of Feb when it all starts again. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23399 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:46:57 +0000 ani 23399@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>well now i have a small duck with a bloody face as he has got hold of her :( i am afraid that if i dont get any drastic help i will have to re-home him... I have spent the last 3 hours crying as i have had such a bad weekend with my ducks (would just like to say i am only 14, so this is very hard as i am very attached to my pets) and I am devastated. I have now got a duck who is badly injured and very scared. I have attempted to clean her eye but she was so stressed i left her to calm down in a clean cage. She has water and i gave her some grass as she loves it. I am torn between keeping the girls or starting again with some new girlies... please help me as i am so upset words cant describe it... :'( xxxx many thankssss xxxxxx </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23398 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:01 +0000 m40mo 23398@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>oh how I wish we could castrate drakes, I have 2 and once more mayhem has broken out as both boys want to claim each girl we havnt had injuries but eye damage is my biggest fear, last summer I kept both drakes happy together away from the girls but that would be so unfair for a single drake, im not sure it would be fare to pass him on to someone else though, is he a bigger breed drake than your girls ? would he be better with a bigger girl kept as a pair maybe away from your smaller ducks </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23397 Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:19:35 +0000 admin 23397@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Ani, So sorry to hear this. I suppose the drake could have been over zealous and it could have been too much for her. I am notsure what to suggest. I suppose you could separate the other injured ducks from him until they are better. Is he like this all year round or just as the breeding season gets under way?<br /> Hope he calms down.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5158#post-23396 Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:44:31 +0000 ani 23396@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>hi guys, haven't posted in a while!</p> <p>any way, i have some very bad news. One of my female ducks was killed this morning, and i was very upset at the fact i was the one to find her whilst attempting to move some chickens. We aren't sure how she died, as there was no bite marks ruling out cat or fox. What i do know is our drake is very heavy handed and caused this duck to go blind in one eye. Do you think he might have killed her? He has also done damage to 2 of my new Call/Campbell females. one of them has some serious damage to her eye. it is red raw and all her feathers around her eye are gone. Her eyelid is pretty much destroyed and she has a small hole that she can see through. Luckily, her eye is fine underneath. She is sitting on some eggs at the moment, so she is in a separate house in the pen. I would like to know if there is ANYTHING i can do to stop this drake as this is really a LAST resort before i have to get rid of him, so please IF YOU HAVE ANY HELP OR TIPS FOR ME, REPLY AS I REALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO LOOSE HIM TOO. thank you every one... </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5151#post-23375 Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:54:01 +0000 m40mo 23375@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>call ducks can lay up to 80 eggs per year so unless you actually want ducklings they are best collected daily and enjoyed in cooking here is an interesting link for you about call ducks<br /> <a href="http://www.motherhenspoultry.com/ourcallducks.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.motherhenspoultry.com/ourcallducks.htm</a> </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5151#post-23373 Sat, 30 Mar 2013 10:50:33 +0000 duskhunter 23373@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>simple answer, you can't. However you don't have to incubate all the eggs and you could use some in the kitchen even if they are fertile they won't hatch or form young chicks in the shell unless given the right incubation conditions so can be stored in the fridge and used as per normal. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5151#post-23372 Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:38:37 +0000 missesbell 23372@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>My sister has two call ducks and the duck has laid about 21 eggs. 14 are currently in an incubator the rest are with her. How can we stop her laying? </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4186#post-22133 Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:57:37 +0000 m40mo 22133@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>my ducks to spend a lot of time doing very little at the moment, I to think its weather related, haveing said that they are enjoying the constant rain we are haveing much to the annoyance of what I used to call a lawn lol<br /> I wouldnt worry about them not swimming much either at this time of the year as long as the water is clean and fresh they will go in as and when they need to so there's no need for you to put your drake in to water if he doesnt want to go in at that moment<br /> one thought though, I have looked back at your earlier posts and see you once lost a duck to a fox, is it possible they have seen one about which has led to them feeling nervous and hiding under the bush </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4186#post-22132 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:37:25 +0000 duskhunter 22132@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Yes Sharon, could well be SAD.<br /> The light levels have been low the last few days affecting all living things.<br /> Hope they don't listen to the news and weather forecast as they are near the patio door it will surely make them depressed! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4186#post-22131 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:34:48 +0000 sharon 22131@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>My 3 ducks 2 female stand under a particular bush near the patio door most of the time this Autumn!? They were active all Spring/ Summer and in the last few years have enjoyed Autumn and foraging for grubs under leaves up and down the garden. The original old couple are now 6 yrs old and the old female has just finished moulting which I know makes them low,- mid life crisis or SAD?! I go and talk with them and lead them into the garden put the drake in the large sink pool, they stay for awhile but then back to the bush! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4152#post-21919 Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:55:58 +0000 campbell ridge 21919@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Jim, how distressing this must have been for you but don't worry about domesticating them too much. A lot of people want this kind of interaction with their ducks and especially when they are tiny, but most of us don't manage it and you will find as they mature they will want to spend more time with the others and become a flock.<br /> Regards, </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4152#post-21918 Sun, 26 Aug 2012 11:27:37 +0000 jim lin 21918@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>many thanks for your reply.<br /> keeping them in the house at the moment.probably get them too domesticated.fantastic to watch them jim lin </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4152#post-21917 Sun, 26 Aug 2012 07:01:01 +0000 m40mo 21917@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hello Jim what a sad story, you were right to think its normaly the drake that does this but shows mums can do it to, at a year old she is young so maybe by next spring she will be more maternal, glad you have now removed the remaining two but that does create extra work for you, thats 2 lots of houseing and swimming water<br /> I wouldnt try putting them back together until they are fully grown now at about 8 weeks old but have them where they can see each other in the meantime and then you will just have to watch carefully to see how they get on, the blessing is that will be well into autumn so they should all be a lot calmer by then<br /> any other advice you need just ask, lots of us keep ducks mine are khaki and white campbells and some members have call ducks but most problems are the same answer no matter what breed </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4152#post-21916 Sat, 25 Aug 2012 18:25:53 +0000 jim lin 21916@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>hi everyone.<br /> we were recently bought a pair of white call ducks about a year old.came from breeder since laid eight eggs.five hatched ok all healthy. kept drake in with them breeder said its ok<br /> .<br /> they have a large coop and run .friends call it duckingham palace<br /> four days later we found one found dead in the morning squashed/trampled watched the carefully until i had to go out .on returning found another squashed this one outside the coop all ok until the next day and we noticed the mother squashing one against the run outside.been blaming the drake but he was really helpful with them .<br /> we retrieved this one and put it with the others but later died .we immediately removed the remaining two and are comming along nicely .<br /> we spoke to the breeder on several occasions and he said in twenty years he had experienced nothing like it<br /> so after going through the self blame ,sleepless nights etc.we are wondering when they get older can they go back to live with their parents(dont know their sex to date)<br /> worried about them fighting or inter breeding sorry to drag it on a bit<br /> would have been in touch sooner but relied on breeders advice,ducklings three weeks and three days old<br /> many thanks, jim lin </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2006#post-19212 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:19:56 +0000 duskhunter 19212@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Well, the girls all laid later in the morning bar one and I couldn't find her egg from yesterday, I think she laid it in the pond as she just drops it anywhere, or had the previous two days.</p> <p>Were out from lunch time until just before it got dark. Put the ducks to bed straight away when I noticed peaches and cream both had raw necks so the black runner boys are going to have to be separated from them and maybe Donald the new boy who is not as frenzied as the two runner drakes can stay with the girls. He and Mrs Campbell are a definite pair and although he does mate with the others he doesn't present the same problem as the Kray twins!<br /> We are away for a couple of days but when we get back we have our work cut out fencing the boys in. Hope the girls survive meanwhile. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2006#post-19201 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:21:37 +0000 Katydid 19201@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Blue bonnets Mo.</p> <p>All the previous advice is good.</p> <p>I would certainly separate any ducks that are being picked on. I have 4 ducks in 'quarantine' at the moment, 3 aren't at all happy about it and want back with the guys and I shall return them today. The 4th is always bullied and I shall keep her separate for the rest of the mating season.</p> <p>We do have a responsibility to our animals and 'nature' aside we have to do what is best for them and allowing continuous bullying isn't right.</p> <p>I hope all gets sorted for Kathleen, but would definately take her runner out of the group. In fact looking at the mix, I would say the runner really isn't big enough to be with the Harlequins at all.<br /> KT </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2006#post-19199 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:57:49 +0000 m40mo 19199@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>oh the joys of keeping ducks, as children we all went off to the park to feed them, who would ever have realised how stressful life really was for them especially in the spring and summer<br /> I dont believe there are any set rules on how we care for our ducks just our own judgment based on what breeds we have and what we see happening,<br /> My girls became a bit messey with their egg laying and seeing the rapes that went on in the shed as early as 4am via a camera I split the boys from the girls over night and I now most mornings get every egg layed in the shed some days one girl Toffee hasnt laid but then somedays she doesnt lay until late afternoon anyway</p> <p>this past weekend after seeing all of the girls at some time or another raped not mated, and twice really feared for 2 different girls eyes as one boy pecked at her head while the other boy did the dead and chased so much I feared one could be injured in her attempt to get away I made the desission to make the split permenant for the summer, some people will think thats is WRONG and goes against nature but these arnt wild ducks I went against nature the day I chose to keep ducks as pets,<br /> I am not in a position to have ducklings even if my girls all campbells went against the norm and decided to go broody so see no reason why this should be allowed to continue, so I now have 2 groups of ducks 2 drakes and 6 girls, so far I have seen no upset from either of the groups and no fighting between the boys but guess thats down to the fact none of my little pack became what some may call couples<br /> so far all is calm and im still getting the eggs in the shed, the ducks can see and hear each other but I can honestly say they arnt stressed and infact are quite happy and it was lovely yesterday watching the girls once they realised they could go and enjoy a swim without fear, 2 of my girls wouldnt go any where near the water if boys were about,<br /> its is only a couple of days so even in my garden if changes need to be made again in the coming weeks or months I will again based on what I see happening but for now it is so much better for us all<br /> I kind of like your idea Angela of a neck colar but have to say I think it would cause problems given how ducks twist their necks to reach their preen glad to keep the feathers in good condition x </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2006#post-19198 Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:26:54 +0000 duskhunter 19198@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Mating season can be frenzied. In 2010 we were given 7 beautiful Indian Runner drakes and a beautiful goose unwanted by the lady we bought hay from for our donkeys. We built them a large pond 38 square meters and they had the run of 2 acres. </p> <p>From October when we aquired them till Spring all went well, but then two of the drakes were being picked on and their necks looked a sorry state. We re-homed the two wounded boys. </p> <p>Then the dog stood on the foot of another and he limped, we assumed he had pulled a muscle and kept him in a cage inside as it was winter until he had recoverd about 3-4 days, but the others wouldn't have him back after his recovery,they really chased him relentlessly and drew blood as though they were going to kill him. We managed to re-home him too. By the way we were out of mating season by then and into the next winter.</p> <p>One duck disappeared without trace we never knew what happened to him but assume it must have been a large bird that took him as the lady we got him from said the buzzards had taken all her females, it remains a mystery, we never found feathers or any other clue about his disappearance.</p> <p>I forgot to mention our first loss, Cyril who died of what appeared to be a pellet wound just under his eye. The vet treated him successfully but he became very tame, used to wait for us to come home by the back door, and the others would not have him mix with them properly. In the cold weather of winter we found him dead with his neck tucked under his wing under some straw in the shed. Broke our hearts as we thought of him ostricised trying to keep warm.</p> <p>We still have two remaining boys Sydney and Spot who seem to be fine together and a newcomer a handsome khaki Campbell drake Donald after Donald Campbell the speed boat champion who died trying to beat the world record. He came with a wife, Mrs Campbell, naturally, and a white duck of dubious parentage but very pretty, she has black spots all over her otherwise yellow beak, we call her freckles.</p> <p>Our two runner boys wouldn't accept Donald and chased him mercilessly. Remebering the troubles of the past I stepped in and chased them, gently, away to another part of the garden. </p> <p>This seems to be working as the new girls are left to Donald, generally, and the two runner drakes are often seen on their own quite apart from the girls sunning themselves. They are quite aware of where 'their' girls lay their eggs though in a nest in the garden not the duck house and they check it and guard it and look worryingly at their wives as though they are saying," Don't you think you should be staying in to look after the children?"</p> <p>A long pre-amble of the history to get to the present day, and last night in particular, about duck behaviour this time of the girls who we aquired to calm the boys.</p> <p>Because the boys are raping the girls, their necks are pretty bald with one of the white runners looking as though blood will be drawn next, we separated all the drakes last night but had no eggs in the morning, normally there are 6. I can only assume none of the ducks were happy as they could hear each other calling. The girls I think didn't feel protected and the boys that the girls would never manage without their protection.</p> <p>The previous night we managed to separate the two runner drakes but Donald was left in with the girls. Strangely, or maybe understandably, Mrs Campbell, Freckles and Peaches and Cream laid with Donald's protection but not our two long standing females that have been with the runner drakes as a foursome for months now.</p> <p>I think I would like to devise some kind of protective neck gear for ducks in mating season and then leave the sexes together as it seems it stresses all of them to separate them.</p> <p>I think perhaps a pair of tights, Olive Oil's, Popeye's girlfriend with the stick legs, should do as a protective sleeve for their necks that would fit closely enough not to be a hazard - would certainly surprise the boys. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2882#post-18038 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:21:54 +0000 m40mo 18038@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>oh dear sorry Stacey, it hadn't crossed my mind the duck had been taken as the original post said duck had gone, so I automatically asumed dead, Sarah's suggestion then is right as you would be heartbroken if it happened again</p> <p>please let us know what you decided its nice to hear the outcome for members and their ducks </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2882#post-18037 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:58:17 +0000 campbell ridge 18037@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Stacey.<br /> Yes one duck is a lonely duck particularly as he has had a partner. He needs a new lady in his life or a new home as Mo has said. So you need to decide which is preferable. If you decide to get a replacement make sure your accommodation for their safety is adequate for their protection from predators, so you do not lose anymore.<br /> Sarah </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2882#post-18020 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:26:21 +0000 Mama 18020@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Oh so sorry Stacey ,I too am not sure on missing ,gone ,dead. Whichever it is it is sad and if you could give more info there are lot of duck owners on this site who would be willing to help with advice and as Mo has already done .To be honest don't think any of us could give better advise at the min .Best wishes Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2882#post-18019 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:36:07 +0000 m40mo 18019@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>hello Stacey, its very sad for you and Phillip that he is sad and now on his own,<br /> its up to you which you think is best really, if you want to carry one owning ducks it would be nice to get him a new friend maybe even more than one, I'm sure he would soon be happy again, if however you dont want to keep ducks anymore and you know someone who already has more ducks he might be happier moved on, but if you move him on to a family that already has a drake the drake already there will probably attack Phillip which im sure you wouldn't want to happen to him,<br /> another important thing to consider is, by gone do you mean dead or gone missing, if dead do you know why the other duck died, if it was down to an illness you have to be careful incase Phillip also has it and you would need to be careful not to pass it on to any new ducks you get or other ducks if you do rehome him<br /> good luck what ever you do </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2882#post-18015 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:43:13 +0000 stacy 18015@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I had 2 ducks no ideal what kind, bought back in spring at a farms store. One turned out to be a yellow, the other a dark brown. Ploblem is after 10 months of only them two, I went out the door this morning to find only 1. The remainder seems very upset. What should I do to confort him? Buy another duck or give him to a family that already has many ducks. The 2 of them have NEVER been serparated. So what should I do. Phillip is so upset? </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2006#post-13459 Sun, 08 May 2011 14:13:54 +0000 Lorna 13459@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Kathleen,<br /> I have just [put my big drake Jonathan in at the minute with his 2 big ladies for a while so my oldest ones who are white calls have a wee while outside.<br /> You need to be careful with the runner as they can go off their legs and get run down with too much mating.</p> <p>Best Wishes<br /> Lorna </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2006#post-13452 Sun, 08 May 2011 08:32:22 +0000 campbell ridge 13452@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I agree with both Bill and Sara about seperating her to protect her. She is obviously the "Cinderella" in the group and drakes do behave badly towards their least favourite ducks and repeatedly bully them and forcibly mate with them as their conquests. Drakes are lovely to look at and will guard the group but because you have two drakes, they have to compete with each other, which is done by constantly "raping" the lesser females. I suggest you get rid of one drake and I'm sure things will calm down, or seperate into two groups, which is what I have to do from March - September.<br /> Sarah </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2006#post-13447 Sat, 07 May 2011 21:43:04 +0000 Bill 13447@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Kathleen,<br /> I have ducks that had the same problem. The back of the ducks heads were bleeding. This was caused by having too many drakes and the weakest ducks were being mated with all the drakes. I moved the damaged ducks with two of the other ducks into another pen until their heads healed. When they were better I moved her back with the ducks but sold off a few of the drakes. The rest was good for them and they are now fully recovered. Good advice from Sara. Best wishes Bill </p>