Ducks biting my feet

[ojwilliams]

Hey all,

My male ducks (Rouen) are constantly biting at my feet (no matter what I’m wearing). It’s very hard to walk because they chase my feet and I’m worried about stepping on them! They’re very friendly otherwise - let me hold them and rest their heads on my shoulder.

Why are they doing this (is it a defensive thing or a hungry thing)? And how can I get them to stop?

 

[ruthhope]

Hey all,

My male ducks (Rouen) are constantly biting at my feet (no matter what I’m wearing). It’s very hard to walk because they chase my feet and I’m worried about stepping on them! They’re very friendly otherwise - let me hold them and rest their heads on my shoulder.

Why are they doing this (is it a defensive thing or a hungry thing)? And how can I get them to stop?

My son's Pekin drake is the same at this time of year. The drake doesn't chase anyone else's feet but makes it difficult for my son to get in the back yard. It is drake hormones and rival behavior, I think. They will stop it later in the year as their drake hormone surge wanes.

 

[KathiQuacks]

This happens commonly with drakes that are too used to humans. I doubt spring time is helping, either. It’s a dominance / mating-related thing. There’s many recommended ways to help stop it, but I’d personally first try distancing myself and ignoring the behavior entirely.