Behaviour

Ducks have both a biological and a behavioural need for water. Not only do they want to be around water, and spend the majority of their time in and around it, but they also need to for their health and wellbeing.

Water is important for the health of ducks’ eyes, nostrils, and feathers, and so that they can perform their natural behaviours. These behaviours include:

Preening

Preening is when ducks distribute the oils from a gland at the base of their tails over their feathers. They perform this behaviour with their bills so that they can maintain healthy plumage and keep their feathers water repellent.

Head dipping

Head dipping is when ducks submerge their heads under water. They do this to keep their eyes, nostrils, and feathers clean. Even though this behaviour only involves a duck’s head, ducks still need to be able to incorporate their whole bodies – another reason bigger sources of water are necessary.

Dabbling

Some ducks perform a behaviour called dabbling. Dabbling is when ducks search for their food on the surface of the water and in the mud on land. They also will tip over in the water with their tail feathers in the air in search of food. However, they do not submerge themselves fully in doing so.  

Swimming

It’s no secret that ducks love water. Not only have they have evolved to eat, play, and rest in the water, but their stature and webbed feet make them expert swimmers. Ducks should always have the choice to be in and around water, as it is also a vital part of their cleanliness and health.

Ducks are natural foragers. They both love and need opportunities to search for food (grubs, worms, grass, etc.) in and around water, and throughout their fenced in environment.

A great way to keep your ducks enriched is by letting them have designated foraging time in your garden, or creating their very own vegetable garden for this purpose. Foraging is wonderful physical and mental enrichment, as your ducks will be exercising and uses their senses and brains to find these tasty treats.

Ducks are very social animals that have a strong instinct to live in groups (flocks). Ducks can become very sad and lonely if they do not have companions of their own species.  While ducks can enjoy human company, it does not replace the fact that other ducks will be the best companion for them.

There is an important social aspect to a lot of natural behaviours that ducks perform. They speak the same language, understand each other's body signals and play, preen each other, relax, forage and live together and look out for each other. It is key that your duck is socially enriched with a flock unless there is a medical issue or certain ducks cannot be housed together because they do not get along. Though ducks will generally get along with each other, they will still establish a social order in their groups.

Just like people, ducks have individual personalities. Therefore, sometimes individuals will get along with some ducks better than others. This is another reason why sufficient space and resources are important for your flock. 

Ducks can often get along fine with some other animal species, however, it’s important to keep in mind that they’ll have differing needs, and will require sufficient space and resources.

Safety is also important to think about if you have different species sharing an environment. Some of these animals are bigger than ducks and have different styles of playing, or can be aggressive toward ducks. There are also health risks involved with housing several species of animals so always be sure to consult your veterinarian for advice. As a responsible animal guardian, you need to think about what is best for the health and wellbeing of all of your animals

Even if your duck gets along well with other animal species, it’s important that they still have companions of their own species as they understand each other’s needs and natural behaviours.

Ducks are capable of laying hundreds of eggs each year, so they’ll be spending a lot of time in their next boxes.

This is a natural behaviour for ducks, so if you have companion ducks that are laying eggs, it is important to provide them with a safe, private, and comfortable place to lay their eggs.

There should be enough nest boxes for the number of ducks in your flock so that they are not competing for space. It’s always a good idea to observe your ducks to see if there is a need for extra nests, as some ducks may compete for the same one.

Nests should also be an appropriate size, dry, cleaned often, and lined with straw or wood shavings so that your ducks can bury their eggs.

Ducks are very curious and smart animals. Not only will they often waddle over to interact and watch their guardians, but they also enjoy exploring new enrichment toys and activities on their own. There are lots of things that you can do to keep your ducks’ lives enriched which will help prevent them from feeling bored and/or frustrated.

Below are some examples of the enrichment you can do that will cater to your ducks’ physical and mental needs, as well as their senses:

Food enrichment:

• Puzzle feeders
• Garden foraging
• Forage boxes
• Treat balls
• PVC piping food dispensers
• Hanging duck-safe veggies (be sure to remove the string when done).
• Scatter feeding in the grass
• Make a produce clothesline (be sure to remove the string when done).
• Frozen popsicles (duck-safe veggies frozen in water).

Enrichment for the senses:

• Mirrors/hanging CDs
• Music (classical and nature sounds)
• Vanilla scents (has a calming effect)
• Water toys
• Safe and varied substrates
• Pinwheels
• Cups of water
• Parrot toys

Always supervise our ducks when they’re using enrichment and monitor their response to it – if they seem stressed or scared, remove the item immediately.

Training can also be a great form of enrichment. However, it’s important to ensure this is positive, reward-based training that is beneficial for your flock, not for human entertainment purposes. 

The way a duck behaves will often depend on their age, personality, and past experiences.

If one of your ducks’ behaviour changes, they could be distressed, bored, ill or injured. Ducks that are frightened or in pain may change their behaviour or develop unwanted habits such as aggression or hiding.

Signs that a duck may be suffering from stress or fear can include poor posture, not wanting to move, hiding, over-preening, or eating/drinking/toileting less (or more) than normal. Be observant.

If your duck’s behaviour changes, or they show regular signs of stress or fear, ask your parents or caregivers to talk to your veterinarian.