Relentless Quacking!

[Katy]

One of our Runner hens has been quacking very loudly, in almost a "car alarm" manner, for over a week. This started the day we added a new drake to the flock. We then added a second new drake three days later. We have 5 hens and the 2 drakes. Our original 7 year old drake died the week before. Flock relations are good- no fighting or appearance of a power struggle, she just won't shut up. It's really random and we can't figure out what's causing her outbursts. Could this be her way of trying to re-establish herself in the changed flock? She is one of our youngest, so she hasn't been the alpha hen. Feedback? Thanks.

[KandBinMN]

Yup, she's talking about the intruders. I like to imagine what they're saying and have a good laugh. My females will sometimes carry on like that if a cat gets in their fence. One will sound the alarm and the rest join in and the poor cat soon finds out it isn't wanted.
She'll get over it eventually.

[Katy]

The alarm-Quacks will be heard from all ducks if a fox runs by or any other possible threat lurks outside the pen....but this has been every day, since 10/25. It is plain obnoxious and I can't imagine the other ducks appreciate the racket. Overnight and when napping she quiets down but that's about it. Thanks.

[Patrick]

If this has been going on for over a week, it should tell you that something is wrong, and it's more to them than just being "obnoxious". The problem, other than the change in flock mates, is that the addition of a second male is too much for the hens, especially if both males are runners. One to five is a decent ratio. Two to five is very hard on the hens. The hen making the most noise is probably the males' favorite, and they're not giving her much rest. Her neck is probably missing feathers now. Remove one of the males.

[Katy]

Patrick;
the quacking began when the first drake arrived, and there has been no mating activity, nor have either of the males really paid attention to any of the females, other than to just run around and swim in the pond together. They all forage together, run around the yard in a group, and not so much as a peck has been observed amongst any of the ducks. I know the suggested drake to hen ratio, which is typically 3 to 4 hens to each drake..and understand I'm one hen short of that ratio, but it also depends on the drake's temperment and the amount of space they have to get away from one another. one of my neighbors has always had more drakes than hens, and though I wouldn't personally take it to that extreme, they have rarely had any roughed up females in over 5 years.
If there had been chasing or badgering towards this particular hen, I could understand the quacking. She naps next to the drakes peacefully, interacts normally, she's just really noisy. She is not injured or sick or being harrassed. I assume she'll eventually settle down. I do always appreciate your replies, and just wanted to clarify that both of the drakes have been getting along just great with the girls and with each other. My yard splits into two big seperate fenced areas, so if need be in the spring, I can make temporary partitions during breeding season.

[Patrick]

Then prove me wrong. Remove one of the males and see what happens. Those ratios are just guides. The ducks don't read the books, nor do they know that the addition of one hen would solve everything and bring them into compliance. They may or may not be breeding, but your one hen still knows that the ratio of males is high, both strange to boot, and she'll have to deal with it at some point. Light breeds, especially Runners, usually fall in the upper recommendations, and in some cases you may even need to exceed them. Heavy breeds you could even lower them and sometimes be fine. I've had breeding pens of light ducks where 1:4 was not enough, and the hens were stressed, and I've had Pekins 1:1 do fine.

[Katy]

Absolutely understand your point, and appreciate your experience with the light breeds. I'd try your experiment if I hadn't seen her behavior start up a few days before the 2nd drake even arrived. I'll take your suggestions into consideration and continue to be observant of the situation over the next week or two, and address as necessary.
I had one drake to 5 hens last Spring and he started pulling feathers from my white runner hen's neck-with 4 other ducks to choose from...temporary partitions were the only solution, after a few weeks, all was then okay. Many thanks again for the reply.

[annefoley]

If it were me, I would take both drakes out of the pen for a full day. It would be interesting to see what happens with no harm done to any of them. Being open to trying different things is how we learn.

[KandBinMN]

Might be interesting to try putting her in the other pen alone, and slowly adding back others one at a time. Just a thought, you'll find out who is annoying her that way I would think. It's true that they all have different temperments. I have some very mellow ducks and some that are always looking for a quacking arguement, though not physical. I'm still having odd behavior here too for Nov. I had a little Snowy Mallard who is normally quite shy start ruffing the feathers on his neck and sneaking up behind me and tugging on my pant legs. I find it funny and pick him up and pet him, but he thinks he's being a tough guy. They're all acting like it's spring over the females, without the breeding and I've never had this happen in late fall before. I'd say to keep experimenting with your pens and who likes to be together or apart. Isn't animal behavior interesting?

[prairiechicken]

Are there other factors? Enough food? Change in food? Enough water? When my ducks get "noisy" it ususally means something is wrong.