4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[bridgewater birds]

I have two male ducks, one a call one a campbell both white and both were until recently very loveable. We have had them since they were 2 weeks old and they are now 4 months. They were great pets over the summer and they happily co-existed with our children and our poland chickens very well - until a few weeks ago. Both ducks have started to chase the children around the garden trying to nip them - they have become very territorial and it is not making it very easy for the children to play in the garden when the ducks are out as they are making it a no go zone unless you want to get a sharp nip! HELP!!!! Why have they had a personality change and is there any chance they will revert to their former lovely friendly delightful selves?

[miller30]

Hi this is a common problem with drakes that have been hand reared from a young age they are lovely and friendly until they get older my drake started to get a bit like this i found if i opened my arms and walked towards him and didnt back down he would turn and run off but this is not the sort of behaviour you want around your children your only option may be to rehome them or maybe pen them my parents have a drake nike who is now 3 and he was living in the house as a baby he does everything your drakes do and my parents have tried everything to stop it but as they have no young children they just put up with it now leanne.

[Guest]

Agree with Miller the ducks I just rehomed 3 males + 1 female had been nipping their owner on her legs as they matured. They did it to me once and I only feed them if I want to. (They are out with the wild mallards now) Most animals will hassle us for food if we feed them and the ducks are no different.

 

Obviously they need feeding but I wouldnt let you children give them treats or feed them(just in an official dish..end of)..tis the only reason they come up to us is for food, not because they love us! Think animal!

 

Agree male territorial issue too

 

indie

[TheChookKeeper]

I've got 2 boys... one I bought as a month-old, the other I hatched.

 

They are both fine with me and the chooks... they get a BIT uppity with the chooks when they escape their "chicken garden", but nothing too horrible.

 

That said, I have always been quite on top of ensuring they know who's boss. My 2 girls are lovely, as is the hatched boy... but the purchased boy gets a bit above his station sometimes... especially when I go to put them away - I put my hand in their house to brush aside poo etc. from the door, and he will sometimes go to nip me... a quick bonk on the beak sorts him out though

 

They are like most animals... if they are allowed to, you will drop down their pecking order, and they'll think they are in charge... they just need to be "told"