wuckyduckspenno Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Hi All, Here's hoping someone may have had a similar experience and can give me some advice. One of my mini silver appleyards has taken to quacking constantly. Not a flurry or call - she simply quacks on the beat like an alarm clock and can keep going for 10-15 mins at a time. As you can imagine I am worried about her and also about upsetting the neighbours. She does not appear to be in any pain, no limping etc. She simply swims in the pond or stands in the garden quacking. She does not lay yet. The only thing I can think of is boredom. They have a large pond and the quacking occurs whether she is in the 6Msq enclosure or out having the full run of the garden (pond available in both) with access to food, fresh water etc. I have bought a couple of bird toys - a bell on some wood and a ball with a bell in it but they are no interested in either. Any ideas most appreciated Wucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 As you know Wucky I've not had my ducks for that long but it does sound quite odd behaviour. Maybe she is coming into lay or maybe she is being a naughty teenager and likes the sound of her own voice? Have you changed something in your garden - I know they can become flustered by seemingly small changes. I hope you get to the bottom of it - your set up sounds lovely so I would be surprised if she is bored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuckyduckspenno Posted January 26, 2011 Author Share Posted January 26, 2011 Hi Chickenbark, Hope you are well. Just seen your update - kindle and eggs! wow what a great day!. I am kinda hoping Maggie's persistent quacking is a sign of eggs on the way - she is a couple of weeks older than Daisy. They have access to oyster shell, grit, eggshell as well as layers pellets so fingers crossed it won't be long. BTW -your girls are stunning. I love the sheen on them. I was thinking about getting one to join the girls but feel probably need two so they do not feel like the odd duckling! All the best Wucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayjay Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi My ducks do this as soon as my neighbours cat comes out of the back door. He never goes near them but they quack until he is out of sight or I go chase him. Just a thought! JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Do they do just when you are there or all the time? Mine are as quiet as mice most of the time but when I go outside they quack madly, nagging for treats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beckyfitz Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 How old is your quacker? My two white campbells were very noisy at around 4 months, then one started laying & settled a bit & once the other started laying they calmed down no end. I got a little Indian Runner who hatched in September & she is now getting very noisy, so I think this is a clue thatshe will be coming into lay soon & hopefull will calm down somewhat! If, however, she is older & already laying, I have no idea, apart from that as the days are gradually lengthening perhaps she is getting a bit frisky ! Becky x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blues08 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 We are getting into natural breeding season and she may be trying to make it known she is available, also as has been said, sometimes the very young are just settling in, ours (abacots) used to create an almighty fuss if we appeared in the window or garden, they still get excited when they know we've come back in from work etc, but not so much of the noise just squeaking and beeping.....hilarious Carl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuckyduckspenno Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks everyone for the replie. Here are some answers to your questions: My MSAs are both 8 months old and have not started laying yet. If they see me then I get a brief quacking flurry so i always hide when I go to the kitchen so they stay quiet (when they used to anyway!) They are quacking irrespective of whethere I am there or not. I am trying to treat them like small children by not going to attend to them when they quack or they will think I am going to come everytime when the reality is I am going to be at the office. They have a 6 sq mtr run with raised house so it's not as if they have no room and they have 1mtr sq pond, ball, hanging toys... I am worried the neighbours are going to kick off at me as it really is an unpleasant noise There are no flurries/squeaks it is just 'on the beat' angry (well it sounds like it!) quacking They have been going for one hour(and still going as i write!) non stop this morning and it is grating for me who loves them I have been told there are males in a house in the same road - could they know this? Are they trying to call them? What can I do to stop this before my neighbours contact the local council? I really do not want to be forced to give them up but if I was my neighbour I'd be pretty peeved Help!!! Wuckyduck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Hi do you get on well with your neighbours could you not go and have a chat with them to see if they can hear it and see if its getting on their nerves i only say this as i was reported to the council last year for my cockeral well hes still here as the case was closed but when he does have a crow no and again im paranoid in case somebodys listening so i know what you mean and i get stressed where as if i wasnt worried about neighbours it wouldnt bother me ive have spoken to some of my neighbours but they have told me not to worry as they havent heard him crowing if you could speak to them it would put your mind at rest . A couple of my ducks use to be really loud so when it got really bad i would make sure they had had food and water and then shut them back in their house in the afternoon for an hour just to have a break from the noise they didnt care everything would go silent and they would go to sleep and when i let them back out they didnt seem so bad hope this helps abit leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donald Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Hi The wild mallards are starting up again for mating time, so it could be hormones with the days getting longer and spring coming along. They will all be going potty soon Perhaps they can hear other ducks etc? just an idea? Donald Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
