Hi Guys,
I would like to share a little story with you all. The other day I let out my ducks into the rest of the garden as they have eaten every last scrap of plant and grass in their end of the garden. I opened the gate and shouted "come on guys! Lets go bug hunting!!" Confused looks from all then a stampede (standard) I thought after a while they may be a bit thirsty so I got them a tub full of water-which they loved. Lots of splashing and then the girls went weird...really weird. They started making weird honking noises and standing perfectly still, necks outstretched with their back totally flat-bum in the air....I think they want to be mated? Well the drakes carried on splashing around having a bath, one drake-Belle tried his luck-didnt really know what he was doing but stood on the girls, one by one all my ducks were doing this, usually not a bunch to be petted much I stroked all the girls who were stood in this weird way. The drakes look of confusion.
Is this because the girls are "in season" and the males arnt? Its very strange.... they go into a kind of trance! And make strange noises. Poor girlies though. The boys couldnt be less interested!! Including Machine-the horniest duck ever!!!
Anyone else experiencing this weird behaviour!?
xx
Farming Friends Forum » Ducks
Flat ducks and confused drakes......
(11 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Hi Pinkpoultry
We had similar with our female ducks when they went for a swim and didn't know what it was all about, but do think now it was a kind of mating call to encourage the drakes to notice them (they hadn't mated before this). The drakes soon went into action after standing aside the first couple of times it happened.
It's very strange to watch isn't it - they must have some muscles to flatten their back in that way!
Karen
Karen xPosted 2 years ago # -
the only part of that that is strange is that the drakes wern't interested, all the rest sounds normal to me lol x
mo xPosted 2 years ago # -
Hi Laura, Yes I have seen this in my new ducks, it is mating behaviour they are telling the drakes they are ready and willing I think!!!
Best Wishes
sara @ farmingfriendsPosted 2 years ago # -
Have you been on the gin Sara? lol
My youngsters are mating and the new girls are constantly at the young drake badgering him for his favours!Sarah LPosted 2 years ago # -
haha I didn't like to say anything x
mo xPosted 2 years ago # -
Lovely reading, all of it , at least it wasn't an F Sara . Never seen this behaviour so can't comment .Will be interesting to hear all comments . Mama
Goose GirlPosted 2 years ago # -
Hi all,
No gin, but do like abit of fizz, although haven't had any whilst on forum. My excuse for the spelling errors is I've used the keyboard so much that the letters have rubbed off. Phew glad it wasn't an f! Must proof read.
Best Wishes
Sara @ farmingfriendsPosted 2 years ago # -
Sara please DON'T proof read, what are a few "f's" between friends?we are all friends thanks to you and this is an informal gathering of friends.somewhere to relax and swap info and stories....while sipping fizz would be awesome xx
Laura you have just made me roll up.We have always called it exactly as you have named it.."Flat Duck Syndrome" I posted a couple of pics on FB of our babies doing just as you describe.
It is linked with mating but if you have no drakes then the girls will quite happily let you pet them instead xxxx.Posted 2 years ago # -
Hi All
My new ones are just starting this, they just do not really know what to do, it is very funny to watch, it is as if they are trying to do a handstand with their bottoms straight up in the air, I find like some others here the ducks themseles just tread/mate with each other, there will be some fun in the summer, the old drake Jonathan is very quiet at the minute.Best Wishes
LornaPosted 2 years ago # -
all of my female ducks are tarts, at it all the time, and its so funny how the boys dart round the garden necks outstretched afterwards. so funny, my little fluffies
Posted 2 years ago #
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