Chucky1 Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Hi everyone. We have had three ducks of unknown antecedants, since October last year. All is going along nicely but what is it with the head bobbing? It causes Mrs Chucky and I no end of amusement as the three form a rough circle and start bobbing their heads in unison. They do this for a while, just bobbing, not pecking the ground and then all waddle off together. They don't appear to be in any discomfort or getting ready to fight. I'd hate to be getting our middle aged kicks from their pain or discomfort. I think it was Leslie or maybe Indie who said that they were probably a drake with strong Mallard roots and two call ducks. These last few mornings we have had one egg so we are hoping we don't have two drakes. Anyone have any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Mine do this too. Heads going up and down to each other quickly - they even do it sitting in their pond. No idea what its all about to eagerly awaiting more responses from people in the know JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 Thanks JJ - its always nice to know you're not alone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Hi my girls do this to my drake it means come and get me big boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 OH NO I am supposed to have 2 females. Do they do it too? JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 Hi my girls do this to my drake it means come and get me big boy Funny our boy (curly tail, doesn't quack) does it too. Though I am starting to have the same doubts as JJ. We were supposed to have to ducks and a drake, but so far there is only one egg and only one quack, and from this mornings antics in the pond I think we have two drakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Im sure i have seen my ladies head bob aswell before they have a three duck pile up on the pond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Thank goodness. Was having a wee panick there Both my duckies are pretty quacky when they want to be and no sign of curly tail feathers as yet. What age will they be when they start laying? No eggs for me so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 My khakis were about six months when they laid their first egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues08 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I have two Buff Orpington ducks about 8 months old, had them since they were two weeks, they do their share of head bobbing and it is comical, I've noticed they do it when they're unsure/can't work something out, i.e. a pidgeon messing around in the trees (not a favourite of theirs), they kinda look into the trees and bob simultaneously and start to 'beep, beep' as well, I find if whatever it is can't be worked out that's when the quacking starts We have an infrared camera in their house, and in the mornings when they wake and stand up expectantly waiting to be let out, there's plenty of head bobbing going on then as well They've been laying for a couple of months too. Carl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 A camera in their house That must be v interesting. Pray tell - what do they get up to during the night? JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 A camera in their house That must be v interesting. Pray tell - what do they get up to during the night? JJ Yes I'm curious too. Must be a cue for some pix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues08 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 (edited) It was quite cheap £25 and works on a radio signal which has a small camera in the house and transmitter in the lounge plugged into the TV, so now and again we can switch over to check them out. Was really useful in the recent baltic conditions to keep an eye on them as we kept them outside, I put water in their house (which goes against the grain for some duck owners as they can be very messy, but my two are pretty good) and that froze, but these hardy birds don't seem too bothered. Its always a great tool when friends come round, they always ask to see them on the TV, its quite amusing watching them waking up and having a clean in what is 'still' pitch darkness and then jockying for the best sleeping spot which changes every few hours, will be useful when they have ducklings. You could cover the lens with a 50p to give you some idea of size, it runs on mains power (millivolts) and attached to a timer so its only on when they're in (ish) Carl Edited January 29, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 Great pix, thanks for puttting them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Yes and what lovely ducks - what make are they? Very envious of the camera - must have a look for one! JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues08 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Buff Orpingtons, although not so buff, real characters This is a rather crude shot of the tv screen, as I said you can them from £20 - £30, try googling wireless camera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 pic. Will google but don't have electricity out at the duck house yet. They are going to have a renovation soon (new WIR) so will encourage OH to install some! Must be sooooo tempting just to have a sneaky peek every 5 minutes (in the adverts!) Cheers JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues08 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Don't watch tv/news in the mornings anymore, just these two waking up and covering their eggs with straw, as well as the grooming and head bobbing before the great outdoors!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Don't watch tv/news in the mornings anymore, just these two waking up and covering their eggs with straw, as well as the grooming and head bobbing before the great outdoors!! I am envious, though like JJ I don't have power to the chicken and duck houses. It's about three hundred yards from the house, across a stream and I shudder at the thought of trying to run a cable Though writing this a thought did just occur, I wonder if a Xantrex accumulator would work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hmmmm a Xantrex Accumulator - why didn't I think of that!! Think I might have one in the shed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues08 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I got a cheap extension spike (outdoor type) with a built-in timer on it which sits under a cover (like the ones you use for indoor lamps etc) and fitted longer cable to it. Carl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hmmmm a Xantrex Accumulator - why didn't I think of that!! Think I might have one in the shed! Thanks JJ - I had that coming. ( Better not write like I think - people will think I'm nuts) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I have a similar camera to the one posted here, and you can use a 9v battery with it Clicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hmmmm a Xantrex Accumulator - why didn't I think of that!! Think I might have one in the shed! Thanks JJ - I had that coming. ( Better not write like I think - people will think I'm nuts) Sorry Chucky, I was a little cheeky there!!! I wouldn't worry about people thinking you are mad - just remember that we are all on a duck forum chatting about how to install infra red night vision cameras into our duck houses.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Sorry Chucky, I was a little cheeky there!!! I wouldn't worry about people thinking you are mad - just remember that we are all on a duck forum chatting about how to install infra red night vision cameras into our duck houses.... Don't be at all sorry I was only joshing back I am thinking of the hen houses too and maybe the barns for a bit of security. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
