Suddenly Mean ducks

[ilikethedesert]

I adopted two Welsh harlequins in the fall from a friend whose birds were being taken by an owl. They are boys and integrated into my tiny flock of four hens with no problem. They were about 8 months old at the time. In the last few weeks they’ve started following me around a lot, pecking my boots. It was cute and then they would bob their heads when I turned around so I thought they were playing.

The last few days they have started chasing me and pecking my boots and biting my pants. Much more Aggressively. When I bend down to take care of the coop they will sometimes bite my hands even although one of them will come up next to me for pets at other times.

I was cleaning out the run today and they chased me constantly. What is going on and what can I do to help them see me as a friend not foe? They still come when I call them which is really cute.

 

[jofanx]

I had an exceptionally mean duck hen (that I hatched and raised myself) who eventually ended up in the stew pot (for reasons unrelated to her temperament.) Nothing worked for more than 3 days. I would do all the usual to establish myself as the top of the pecking order, which the other ducks had no issues accepting, I'd pick her up and carry her while walking around surveying things, I'd sit on her (not really, just garb her and put her between my legs and crouch over her until she maintained a submissive position.) Her nickname was crotchduck because she'd actually fly at me in a drop kick, grab onto my crotch, and attempt barrel rolls, among other things. It was terrible, I never had an aggressive duck whose behavior couldn't be changed before her.

You could try those first but if that doesn't work... well, sometimes they can just be mean.

 

[chickens really]

That's Drake aggression and they need you to chase them off so they learn your higher ranked than them.
Sorry it's not funny but they can try to control the situation if they can the brats...

 

[arrowti]

Push them to the ground and hold them there. Sometimes I 'peck' my drake back my swatting him on the back of the head with a couple fingers. He's only been aggressive once and that nipped it.

 

[ilikethedesert]

Thank you. I’ll try being more assertive! Anyone aware of a thread on how to do this? Thank you for your tips on how. I’d love to read more!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Straddle you duck one at a time of course. Facing away from you, put one hand around his neck the other if not straddling at lower part of his back what your wanting to do is hold him down just like what another drake would do to him. Your not holding him into a position that will injure him but just enough that he cannot get away or bite you, after he stops fighting keep hold for a few more seconds then release him away from you, Now don't go feeling sorry for him and try and pet him, Your teaching them that the behavior he is showing is not acceptable to you. He may turn around and start again so start over. This isn't a one time thing that will be over, but if you'll be consistent with them you can change their mind set. I have a drake that did this behavior and I worked this with him he will be 7yrs old in June and he is such a great drake, I still have to remind him at times who is leader but it only takes a second to remind him.

 

[HeatherD42]

With the head bobbing, they must think of you as a potential mate! Silly boys. My drake would sometimes run at me threateningly, but never made contact. Did you have any luck putting them in their places?

 

[ilikethedesert]

Yes! I gently but firmly pin the. To the ground and it worked I. Two days! Amazing! Sometimes I. Red to remind them but they are great. They are now being really mean to our hens and occasionally pinning each other in their pool but being nice to me.

With the head bobbing, they must think of you as a potential mate! Silly boys. My drake would sometimes run at me threateningly, but never made contact. Did you have any luck putting them in their places?

 

[Miss Lydia]

By hens you mean female ducks right? @ilikethedesert?

 

[ilikethedesert]

Nope the hens are chickens!