Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do ducks like to be patted? Because when mine were ducklings they didnt seem to mind and until about two weeks ago they allowed me to pat them. Is it normal.... seeign as I hand raised them since they were a day old... I really want to be able to pat them again. Also, when they see someone else apart from me, they make a "screaming" noise and wag their tails and if approached will bite that person/ chase them. Do duck tail wags actually mean anything? And are they supposed to be excited when I put food into their bowl?

Please answer these questions!

Iy Am A Duck!!

Hi,
It has been my experience that ducks will shy away from objects that appear to be coming either down upon them or from behind them such as your hand on their back. When mine were ducklings, they liked the attention however when they became adults they changed a bit. They are still affectionate but they don't like to be touched on their back. They will still let me pet their beaks though so it seems as long as they can see that it is me trying to pet them it's okay.

I do have one exception though. One of my females hasn't ever figured out she's a duck. She will let me do most anything including carrying her around and swinging on a swing (although gently).

Hope this helps. My ducks are Pekins, maybe different breeds react differently.

Gramma Duck

I forgot the other points to your questions.

My ducks always get excited when it's breakfast or dinner time. They love to eat and they really love the special treats they sometimes get such as diced watermelon or chopped spinach.

The wagging tail and honking/quacking is a display of aggression. Your ducks are probably just intending to scare off a potential predator (they are low on the food chain and see new people, animals etc. as a potential threat). Mine do this and then charge at whatever has their dander up. They do not however continue into a fight...it's merely a show. I would imagine if the threat was real, they may try to bite.

GD

I have both Muscovies and Indian Runners and they react differently.
Muscovies generally tame more easily compared to Runners which naturally have a nervous nature.
Muscovies have a habit of 'wagging' their tails aswell, they usually do this when they get excited over something, normally when i give them food of any kind, or when they see their friends, or when i go near them as mine are all tame.
Ducklings are normally more affectionate, as young animals are so interested in everything, thats how they learn about their environment and, well everything really.

Mel X

So is there a place where ducks like to be patted?

My ducks enjoy being stroked around their necks and faces, particularly one of my male Muscys, Smudgy, he loves me tickling his neck and he nibbles my hand very gently and plays with my watch. Thats something hes done since he was an egg.
I think they like being touched around those areas because thats where ducks normally touch each other during courtship.

Mel X