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Ducklings go crazy when I pick them up

post #1 of 6
8/8/12 at 10:01pm
Thread Starter 

My mallard ducklings are almost 10 days old and still when ever i pick them up they go crazy. I've tried not putting my hand around them, just letting them lay or stand in my hand and they try to run off my arm and jump off. Why don't they understand that I won't hurt them. Every time I leave the room they peep extremely loud and forever until I come back. They also know my voice compared to everyone elses, because when I come in the room and say "Hi girls!" they run around and try to jump out and go crazy until I acknowledge them, yet when I pick them up they squirm and peep in a way that sounds like they're getting eaten.

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post #2 of 6
8/8/12 at 10:10pm

Sounds perfectly normal.  Cover them with your hands and they will settle down.  They want their feet supported and their heads covered.

 

In nature, nothing picks up ducklings but predators.
 

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post #3 of 6
8/8/12 at 10:48pm

Yup like what billw said, that's totally normal. As they get older they will get used to you. Also when you pick one up, the rest will go crazy because they want to know where that one went!

Too many chickens and ducks, 3 rabbits, 14 turkeys, 3 dogs and 2 beyond spoiled pot bellied pigs! Oh and 2 kids and one nearly perfect boyfriend!
I can be found on facebook - Keyt Harrington
or my photography page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/NaturalCharmPhoto. Offering specials on portraits and special events as well as photo restorations.

 

COLLECTING PENNIES!!! Taking any quantity!

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Too many chickens and ducks, 3 rabbits, 14 turkeys, 3 dogs and 2 beyond spoiled pot bellied pigs! Oh and 2 kids and one nearly perfect boyfriend!
I can be found on facebook - Keyt Harrington
or my photography page on facebook https://www.facebook.com/NaturalCharmPhoto. Offering specials on portraits and special events as well as photo restorations.

 

COLLECTING PENNIES!!! Taking any quantity!

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post #4 of 6
8/9/12 at 1:48am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the reply! I do make a base with my hands and they seem to enjoy that, but they're getting too big to hold both in one hand so i have to put one in each hand so I can't cover their heads. And also as keyte1969 said, if I take one of them out the other one goes crazy and peeps extremely loud!duc.gif

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post #5 of 6
8/9/12 at 1:48am
Thread Starter 

you're exactly right, if I leave one of them behind (there are 2) the other goes NUTS!

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post #6 of 6
8/9/12 at 5:04am

I'd sit on the floor an let them come to me, climbing all over or just sitting close. with something yummy like dried mealworms. 

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 23 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma, 7 Black Australorps 16Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

 

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Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 23 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma, 7 Black Australorps 16Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

 

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