9 Reasons Why Is My Duck Shaking? Waterfowl Ways To Express Something!

Ducks shake themselves either to indicate health issues, or it can be a harmless act. But the possible reasons are happiness or excitement, fear or stress, communication, drying up the feathers, and attraction for mating. Other than that, an excessively cold environment is to blame. However, you need to identify what they mean by shaking their body.

Ducks can do weird behavior, so shivering or shaking is something to count. I’ll elaborate on this topic in the next section. You’ll understand good and bad facts about ducks shaking as well as the treatment they must need during that time.

Why Is My Duck Shaking? 9 Common Reasons That You Should Know

Duck shaking is basically duck body language that indicates various aspects behind the act. Not only shaking, you’ll see them vibrate, shiver, nibble, lunge, or pant. Every behavior has a separate understanding; however, we’ll focus on their shaking behavior today.

1. Happiness Or Excitement

You used to know ducks show happiness when bobbing heads up and down. But domestic ducks shaking is something that also tells they are happy and excited. It’s about their playful mind and mental stimulation. 

I see them wagging or shaking their tail to tell they’re happy with the owner or maybe having some delicious, nutritious diet. It’s almost like the dog’s wagging tail!

Basically, When they are excited or happy, they may even shake their beak, head, and neck and move down to the body.

2. Fear And Stress

Predators are everywhere to attack ducks. Such incidents frighten ducks and make them stressed, making the duck’s body shake and vibrate until they are out of fear. According to the study from Researchgate, male muscovy and female Pekin ducks were in the experiment.

Also, unfamiliar surroundings like staying with other animals and overcrowding are to blame. But how do you know if a duck is stressed? You’ll see:

• Weakness
• Lameness 
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Naucia
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea.

Therefore, keep these symptoms in mind and keep them lively and joyous just by avoiding such potentials.

3. Neurological Disorder

Sometimes, ducks are shaking due to a nervous system or neurological disease. It can include balance problems, headache, dizziness, abnormal head posture, circling, and convulsions, according to ScienceDirect.

However, such conditions require veterinarians’ attention, and brewers or nutritional yeast can help, too, as it’s a neurological issue.

4. To Communicate

Ducks are absurd, and they’ll possibly shake their body to communicate with other ducks. When they wag their tails, they are likely to tell their fondness for the owner.

5. For Flirting And Mating

It’s commonly a male or drake duck courtship behavior for mating when they shake their wings and tails. Ducks are attention seekers, and they do that when the female ducks are around. 

A fun and cute fact is when a hen or female accepts the proposal, you’ll see her nodding its head.

6. Drying Feathers From Water

When ducks come from water sources, they dry themselves out by shaking their body and feathers. They basically prefer to dislodge water or dirt that can block their nostrils. Look at the video where ducks are shaking water from their body.

Also, Drake splashes water by using his head and wings to get hens (Female ducks) attention. It’s their flirting skill for mating.

Related Reading: Do Ducks Like the Rain

7. Temperature Problem

Ducks are intolerable with cold environments, so you see them shaking and shivering. In those circumstances, they badly need a warm place. 

So, you must ensure they have proper sheltering and comfort zones near the duck’s coop. However, seeing the video will clarify the idea about their shaking and shivering in cold environments.

8. Nutritional Deficiencies

The lack of nutrition and water is another big problem that makes the duck sick and shakes their body because of weakness. It happens when you don’t provide enough food for a balanced diet.

Therefore, I suggest feeding fresh greens, fruits, vegetables, insects, plants, and duck pellets to keep them healthy.

9. When They Are Sick Or Injured

You ducks become sick over time, and it’s quite normal. But when you see them shaking, it’s demanding to call the vet. 

Sometimes, they get wounded, and you’ll see them in pain. It’s what shakes their body due to the suffering. To heal, avian experts need to prescribe some medicine.

6 Different Ways of Shaking: What Does All The Act Mean?

It’s not like ducks are entirely shaking their bodies. It can be their head, leg, tail, and so on. Different acts indicate a different meaning. Let’s see what they actually mean by shaking their organs.

1. Ducks Shaking Its Head:

When waterfowl shake their head, it can be due to different factors such as:

• They might be clearing water from nostrils for breathing passages and to avoid the respiratory system.
• It can be Riemerella anatipestifer Infection to show incoordination. Such infection causes weight loss, high mortality, or condemnation.
• When they shake heads from one side to another, it can be when ducks look for food or predators.

2. Shaking So Much:

Ducks shaking excessively indicates their shivering, illness, or stress after encountering predators. Also, when they attempt to flirt with female ducks or if food is stuck, that bothers them a lot, making them shake a lot. Be careful of it.

3. Leg Shaking:

Duck’s leg shakes when they are weak and have niacin deficiencies during the early stage. Therefore, you have to prevent niacin deficiencies in the homestead livestock.

4. Panting And Shaking:

Ducks panting and shaking is a clear sign of overheating and distress in ducks. When the temperature or stressors are high, ensure you keep them in a shady location with fresh water. If the problem persists, consult a vet for any underlying health issue.

5. Shake His Tail:

During preening, ducks usually shake their tail. Also, it’s a behavior like a pet bird who is either excited or when they see food. In some cases, it can be to rearrange feathers or when they’re in the mood for courtship.

6. Shake When I Pet Her:

When you pet ducks, they show their affection and relaxation by shaking. Also, they may shake a lot when they feel nervous or uncomfortable near you. 

When you pet her, they sometimes show their natural instinct to groom or preen the feathers by shaking near you.

Baby Ducks In Yard: Why Is My Duckling Shaking Its Head?

Duckling shaking is similar to the adult one. They usually shake their body or organs to clean water from the nostrils while feeding or swimming.

But when you see them shaking too much, take them to the vet for any health issues. Although it can be due to niacin deficiencies, vets’ advice will be more accurate as they can identify their health more than you.

Final Words

So, why is my duck shaking? Ducks usually shake to show excitement, stress, neurological disorders, nutritional deficiencies, sicknesses, etc. It can also be for mating, temperature trouble, or when they randomly just try to dry out by shaking the feathers.

Either they shake their head or shake other parts to tell something. When it’s about health issues, don’t overlook it and call the vet. Same case when it’s about ducklings! I especially consider ensuring niacin for them when they are shaky.

Sources And References:

• https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/duck-shakes-with-excitement-vibrating-ducks.355690/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1557506314002122
• https://morningchores.com/niacin-deficiency-in-ducks/