Do you own ducks or ducklings? If so, as a pet owner, it’s important to understand their behavior and, as such, ensure that they are happy.
If you’ve ever wondered whether or not your ducks are happy, you can typically tell by watching their behavior and learning how to interpret it. Ducks are generally happy creatures, but they can act out when sick, threatened, or injured.
Read on to find out whether your ducks are happy.
10 signs your duck is happy
Quacking
While ducks can quack for many different reasons, repeatedly quacking in a high-pitched tone is usually a sure sign that your duck is happy.
Quacking is their primary means of communication, and you will generally be able to tell whether it’s out of happiness or something else.
Head bobbing
A happy duck typically bobs its head up and down in the water. The head bobbing could go on for a few seconds or for as long as 15 minutes.
This may be because they are turned out to get in a pond, have just received fresh water in their pool, or are getting a snack they love.
Tail feather wagging
Ducks will shake their tail feathers after swimming as part of their drying routine, but did you know they also do this to show excitement?
This is similar to how a dog will excitedly wag their tail when you return home to greet them. A duck wagging its tail feathers is usually a sign of happy behavior.
Head tilting
When a duck tilts its head and stares, this is typically to scan the horizon for food or predators. Their eyes will remain in a fixed position in the socket.
Head tilting can also be a sign of happiness and contentment for your duck.
Bubble blowing
This is a funny behavior that ducks exhibit and is usually a sign of happiness. They do this by dipping their heads down into the water and then forcing their breath out to blow bubbles.
They also do this to clean mud, feed, dirt, and feather bits that are stuck in their nostrils.
Sleeping
Sleeping leaves ducks in a very vulnerable position, so if they are caught sleeping, they are likely comfortable and happy.
Ducks are exposed to predators during this time, so if they’ve fallen asleep near you, they likely feel safe to do so.
A duck who is unhappy or feels in danger will likely not be seen sleeping as it will be on high alert instead.
Playing
Like humans, ducks are playful creatures and love to play with other ducks in their flock. Ducks love to splash around in the water, chase shiny objects and, in general, cause a raucous.
If they are exhibiting this kind of behavior, it’s a good sign. Ducklings will often flap their wings and roughhouse each other to pass the time, which is a sign of happiness.
Other vocalizations
Ducks have many different noises and tones they communicate, which all convey a different message.
They will say “honk honk honk” very loudly at you if they are excited about something, and you will be able to tell by the tone of voice that it is a happy sound.
While this type of vocalization is typical of a happy or excited duck, ducks can also honk when upset. The tone or pitch of the ducks honking will be a good indicator of whether they are happy or not.
Cuddling
Ducks love cuddling with the others in the flock, which is a sure sign of happiness and comfort. They are much like cats and dogs in this way, and they love physical attention and affection.
Ducks will even cuddle with humans if they feel safe with you. For instance, they may climb into your lap, snuggle with your legs, or sit very close to you.
Ducks are friendly creatures and love companionship, so don’t be surprised if your pet ducks develop this kind of attachment to you.
Gnaw or nibble at your fingers
While this may be surprising behavior, it is simply a sign that a duck appreciates you. This typically happens during feeding time, especially if you hand-feed your ducks, and is a way for them to express gratitude to you.
But how to tell if they are not happy?
Side to side head bobbing
This is a sign of unhappiness when your duck does this. It is most often seen by the lead female ducks of a flock.
She does this to warn other ducks to stay away from her “drake”, which can also be seen as a sign of dominance or distress.
Sitting alone
Ducks are friendly creatures, and they need other ducks to be happy. If your duck is often sitting alone, chances are, they are not happy.
They thrive on the companionship of spending time with the other ducks in the flock and are not meant to live alone.
Loss of appetite
If you’ve noticed your duck has stopped eating, this can be a sure sign of unhappiness. Ducks love to forage and graze all day long, so this would be unusual behavior for them.
In some cases, loss of appetite could also be a sign of sickness, so you’ll want to pay close attention to other accompanying symptoms like panting and lethargy.
Aggression
While ducks are typically not aggressive birds, they can become aggressive if they are unhappy or feel threatened. They can also show aggression toward other ducks in their flock if they do not get along.
You will be able to tell by their behavior which involves sticking out their necks and running straight at whoever they are unhappy with.
Let’s do these to make your ducks happy!
Daily foraging time
Your duck needs foraging time and is happiest when they can do this daily. They are great at foraging for grubs, slugs, snails, and other insects and weeds.
If they do not have access to daily foraging, a large pen is best, and they can be fed things such as dried mealworms, watermelon, and salad greens. These snacks add valuable protein and nutrition to their diet as well.
Housing
It’s crucial that your ducks have access to secure housing, especially at nighttime when they are more susceptible to predators.
You will want to be sure that the space is well ventilated for maximum circulation to help eliminate heavy odor buildup in the coop. Then, in the wintertime, you can cover windows with plastic to help keep them warmer.
Fresh straw
Ducks love the straw and use it for nesting and laying eggs. It also helps to keep the floor of the pen dry. You can even pile it in the corners to encourage the hens to lay eggs there.
This will also keep the eggs cleaner and out of high-traffic areas, making both you and your ducks happy campers.
Water
This one probably seems like a no-brainer, but fresh water is crucial to a duck’s survival and happiness.
They love to swim and preen their feathers in the water, which is how they clean their bills. Fresh water is also essential to their health, as they can get sick from dirty or contaminated water.
Food
Your duck will do very well on their foraging diet, but you should also provide pellets for them.
They will naturally eat more pellets if they do not have access to foraging at any given time, especially in harsh weather conditions.
On that note, you will want to pay close attention to the food and be sure it is kept dry to avoid mold, as this can make your ducks very sick. They should have access to fresh food at all times.
No bread
Many people are unaware of this, but your ducks should never be fed bread. Their diet should consist mainly of plants and grasses.
Not only is it not nutritious for them, but it can also cause wing deformity, bone growth issues, and lameness, which can lead to a predator being able to catch the duck easier.
As tempting as it is, it’s best to stick to their regular diet.
Fencing
Many domestic duck breeds cannot fly, so fencing is important to help protect them from predators.
You’ll want to ensure it is high enough so predators cannot get in at night. For extra assurance, you can also cover the duck run with wire fencing across the top.
Let them lay eggs!
Depending on the breed, ducks can lay anywhere from 100-300 eggs annually. Laying and sitting on their eggs is essential to your duck’s happiness and health and, as a bonus, can also be consumed by you.
They make an excellent breakfast and are great for baking since they are richer in flavor and fat content.