New to Campbells!

catmink1 said:

Hello! I am new to ducks and would love some advice.

I just got 3 ducklings 3/24/16, a couple days ago. They are seemingly Khaki Campbells named Einstein, Wishbone, and Quackers. They all seem very happy and healthy, and they look about a couple days old.

So my questions are as following:

1) Where do ducks like to be pet? When petting my little duckos, they will either move or just stare at me like '???'. They usually only shut their eyes when I pet them around the head.

Some don't like it at all, some,don't mind their tummies petted, some think you are making romance and are happy about that.....


2) What should I look for in a duck coop? I found many online, but I don't know what I should be searching for specifically. I haven't bought one yet, mainly because they are so small and it will be a few weeks before they can go outside.

Predator-proof, with good ventilation, that you can keep from getting too hot or too cold, with enough room that the ducks can have a little elbow room if they have to be cooped up for several days (think major storm).


3) Signs of imprinting? I hang out with Wishbone a lot. I think he/she has imprinted on me. (I am gonna say he) He follows me when I put him on the ground, when laying on my chest he will always lay next to my face, he will nibble on my eyelashes or try to nibble my mouth/teeth, he will peep when I stray too far, and he always jumps into my lap.

Imprinting is a very specific term to animal behaviorists. My Runners didn't imprint, but they sure do seem to like me. I also got nibbled on when they were little. They will still follow me unless there is something really interesting that they don't want to walk away from. If you spend a good amount of time with them, they will likely be your friends for life.

4) A good training age? Is a couple days old too early, or is it like a dog where training a puppy is better than training an elder. I am trying to teach them to come when their name is called. So far, I got somewhere with Wishbone. He is learning very well!

Mine seem to recognize their names, and some basic words. Peas. Salad. Trinken (drink). Basement. Day Pen.

5) How can I entertain my ducklings? Will taking them out be enough? Should I give them tiny cat toys? I want them to be very happy and have lots of fun.

Be careful with toys - they swallow everything. They like to forage - to drill their little bills into mud. They like to pull on rope. Be very careful (repeating myself because it is a matter of life and death). I have braided cord to the fence about two feet high, hanging down to about a foot high for them to tug on. But the rope or cord must be absolutely fixed to the fence so they cannot pull it off and swallow it. I also have two ducks who will eat a hole in fabric....those kinds of things can cause their digestive systems to impact and that can be fatal.

6) I have bonded so much with Wishbone, that I kind of want him to be a house duck.. I have researched a ton, but nothing really to help my duck become one - just on other people's ducks.. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Check with the people on the Indoor Ducks thread. They would know. I understand the feeling. I like to hang out with the flock, it just makes me feel good, inside and out.

So, off I go!


Thank you so much. - Lolo

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