PINOAK RIDGE
Chirping
Sounds like there has been some good advice posted already. I will add a few tips.
When interacting with them, get down on their level, don't tower over them. Move slowly and steadily when reaching into their area. When you go to pick them up, do so with a slow, steady CLOSED hand, then open "underneath" them and scoop them up. Don't reach for them with an open hand, that will resemble how a raptor would attack them. Also, I know they are cute, but don't stare at them with direct eye contact, as that is how a predator would look at them. Ducks are ducks, and we as humans need to remember that. They are born with survival instincts that have kept the species going for thousands of years. We can't get the ducks to think like humans, so as their humans we need to approach situations from a duck's point of view and try to keep stressful situations to a minimum.
Yes, by all means talk to them in a calm voice. Ducks are social creatures and a chatty one at that. Yes, repetition is key to conditioning them to respond to "commands". They can be quite comical and entertaining.
Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy your ducks.
When interacting with them, get down on their level, don't tower over them. Move slowly and steadily when reaching into their area. When you go to pick them up, do so with a slow, steady CLOSED hand, then open "underneath" them and scoop them up. Don't reach for them with an open hand, that will resemble how a raptor would attack them. Also, I know they are cute, but don't stare at them with direct eye contact, as that is how a predator would look at them. Ducks are ducks, and we as humans need to remember that. They are born with survival instincts that have kept the species going for thousands of years. We can't get the ducks to think like humans, so as their humans we need to approach situations from a duck's point of view and try to keep stressful situations to a minimum.
Yes, by all means talk to them in a calm voice. Ducks are social creatures and a chatty one at that. Yes, repetition is key to conditioning them to respond to "commands". They can be quite comical and entertaining.
Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy your ducks.