Suddenly aggressive female

[Kayleebohannan]

New duck owner. We have 5 ducks. Got them in May. They roam free in our backyard. We have 4 females and one male. One of the females is a Cayuga, I believe. She’s always been a leader in the group but never aggressive until recently. She charges us and our dogs when we walk outside and bites them. Anybody know why this could be? None of the others are charging us. She comes alone. We haven’t found any eggs. What do we need to do to stop this?

 

[Miss Lydia]

And your sure she is a female? Sounds more like what a drake would do.

 

[Kayleebohannan]

And your sure she is a female? Sounds more like what a drake would do.

I mean it quacks really loud like a female, but I’m with you it definitely is acting more like an aggressive male.

 

[featherhead007]

Seem more like a drake.
But what's a drake? Only kidding. . Try to watch what he/she is mad about. Maybe there is some type of threat out there that hasn't been addressed.??

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Maybe she is getting ready to start laying? I think they go through hormone changes and moodiness at this time. I would treat her just like I would a drake that starts doing this behavior. It sounds like she needs to learn who is boss around there.
Pick her up and hold her until she stops struggling, then let her down if you can do so without risking her biting.
Or. .squat over her and pin her to the ground for a few seconds, not hard enough to hurt her, just enough to assert dominance over her. Sounds silly. .but it's seemed to work for me with drakes that have started acting like they might be aggressive toward me. Maybe it would work for a female as well.. As I see the girl ducks also mount and do this to each other to assert dominance.

 

[featherhead007]

Just a question, how hard can a duck actually bite anyways?
I don't see a problem there. Unless she's in dept and doesn't pay her bill. Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[Kayleebohannan]

Just a question, how hard can a duck actually bite anyways?
I don't see a problem there. Unless she's in dept and doesn't pay her bill. Sorry couldn't resist.

We are duck hunters. We know what drakes and hens are so you don’t need to make fun. Our dogs are trained to attack them so if they peck or bite them they will end up as dinner. Plus I have a small child. So it concerns me. I’m asking for help not jokes. Sorry “I” couldn’t resist either. Be nice or move on. I’m asking for real advice.

 

[Kayleebohannan]

Maybe she is getting ready to start laying? I think they go through hormone changes and moodiness at this time. I would treat her just like I would a drake that starts doing this behavior. It sounds like she needs to learn who is boss around there.
Pick her up and hold her until she stops struggling, then let her down if you can do so without risking her biting.
Or. .squat over her and pin her to the ground for a few seconds, not hard enough to hurt her, just enough to assert dominance over her. Sounds silly. .but it's seemed to work for me with drakes that have started acting like they might be aggressive toward me. Maybe it would work for a female as well.. As I see the girl ducks also mount and do this to each other to assert dominance.

That’s what I’m figuring. We will try this.

Thank you!

 

[featherhead007]

Gezz sorry

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Just a question, how hard can a duck actually bite anyways?
I don't see a problem there. Unless she's in dept and doesn't pay her bill. Sorry couldn't resist.

Actually I've had a pretty good hickey that broke the skin from a broody call duck before. Some of them latch on and twist when they bite.

We are duck hunters. We know what drakes and hens are so you don’t need to make fun. Our dogs are trained to attack them so if they peck or bite them they will end up as dinner. Plus I have a small child. So it concerns me. I’m asking for help not jokes. Sorry “I” couldn’t resist either. Be nice or move on. I’m asking for real advice.

I don't think they meant to make fun of you. Lots of ducky humor gets thrown around on here.