3 female call ducks

[Sammiiee0_o]

Hi wondering if anyone can give me some advice!
Recently bought 3 16 week old female call ducks only supposed to of been 2 but there previous owner insisted we take the 3rd one too.
They are extremely skittish will not let you handle them. They are barely eating anything. My 2 baby muscovies don't seam to mind them. Can anyone give me any advice on how to get them to trust me. I've tried treats peas,meal worms etc not interested. I've sat at there level with them for hours everyday nothing seams to be budging them! Many thanks

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

It took me around a month to get previously non-handled chickens to stop being skittish and not struggle with being picked up. I spent some hours (3) a day with them, standing or sitting or in their vicinity. What helped was I had to handle them twice a day due to me needing to manually move them between the larger daytime enclosure vs their coop. Now, they walk up to me when I'm squatting to get picked up, eat out of my hands, and will jump on my lap and sit there. What did expedite the process with some was my lap being their "safe haven" during integration with the main flock. They learned fast that I protect them and in my arms is a safe place. My biggest recommendation is actual physical contact rather than food. Mine wouldn't get close to me for food unless they had been free-ranging without food for some hours. I know ducks and chickens are very different birds, but hopefully this helps. Also, if you do plan to carry your birds, have them facing you rather than away. They are much more content being carried that way than facing the direction you're walking

 

[Sammiiee0_o]

Awwh thankyou so much. I really do appreciate that. I will keep you updated on the progress.

 

[ruthhope]

Awwh thankyou so much. I really do appreciate that. I will keep you updated on the progress.

Good luck. It takes time and patience!