2 week old duck behavior, is this normal?

[duckyfromoz]

Aproaching the brooder from lower than standing height- and making sure you talk to them - alerting them of your approach can help to ease a stampede.
I recently put a large wok desk in my spare room and have the brooders for the younger babies on it. I means that when I approach I do not appear 100 foot tall - and I have found this has been very suscessful in keeping the ducklings calmer. When you refill the food or water container- leave your hand near it a while- this is a time when they are more likely to want to go to eat or drink- so keep ing your hand there will allow them to gradually become more acustomed to your prescence until the point when they no longer stampede to a corner.

 

[MarieNC]

Well if it makes you feel any better, I spent a LOT of time with my four ducks when they were babies. I would pick them up two at a time and although they were skittish, they would settle down and fall asleep in my lap or on my shoulders. One of them had a slight upper respiratory infection and we spent a particularly large amount of time with him. Once they went outside, though, all bets were off. Now that they are 7 months old, two of them will briefly tolerate being picked up, the other two dislike it very much. They won't let me reach down to pet them but they will hang around by my feet, particularly if food is involved! By contrast my chickens will jump up in my lap, settle down and nod off. Must be a duck thing.

 

[michelle89]

Your ducks are just being ducks, I understand why it bothers you. I would love to pick my duck up and love on her but the minute I try to pet her she backs up, but if I get down to her level and put my hand out she will nibble on my fingers. I can also sit on the ground and she will nibble on my pants or whatever she can reach. She knows I'm her buddy, and she loves to talk to me, just don't try to pet her! I remember one day she was on the deck so I sat on the bottom step and she nibbled on my ear and my cheek! My husband watched the whole thing and just shook his head, he thinks I'm nuts! I just love my duck!!

Oh and peas are their favorite treats, that always helps!