Advice for winning my ducks over?

[Miss Carcajou]

I know, I know... The way to my ducks' hearts are through their stomachs. Let me tell you, they do come running up once they realize I've got a cut of tomato or perhaps some greens. But they also get some good cardio running away the moment I shift positions or go to grab more food.

My ducks are almost one month old, and I spend five days a week working a full time job with a commute. I know they may not ever cuddle me and that all things take time, so I am just curious to hear from other folks on their experiences getting their ducks accustomed to the scary world of people and dogs.

Weather has not been on my side in Montana, and cold swings with snow storms have kept the ducks from getting to enjoy the coop and some time outside with me. So in the mean time, I have had them in a dog kennel in the garage (the garage is kinda cluttered, hard to hang out in there now that their kennel takes up space). I try to sit with the door open and give them treats, but I am worried all the time away for work in a quiet garage has left them too sensitive, and I hope to allow them to free range around my garden for pest control but I don't want them to have a heart attack if I am out there too with the dogs.

How much time do they usually need to start being comfortable? I don't want to give them too many treats, so I just have short treat giving sessions so they associate me with fun treat time. I hope that moving them to the coop with the outside run will also help them see us more frequently (as we can't really hang out in the garage while cooking, or eating, unlike grilling outside in the summer and tending the garden nearby)

Thanks for all your advice!

 

[llombardo]

What breed ard they?

 

[happy duck]

It took my ducklings 2 days to get fairly comfortable. I gave them tons of treats, let them eat out of your hand. I also was with them whenever I had the chance!so GOOD LUCk

 

[CarleeAnn]

Maybe instead of justvtreats you can hand feed them their real food so you don’t have to worry about spoiling them. My girls love when I give them their food as treats!

Sit with them any chance you get, and you don’t have to be feeding them! Just talk softly and let them get used to your presence. If you feel comfortable let the dogs around them too with the ducks in the kennel so they’re safe, maybe keep the dogs about a few feet away so the ducks can just observe them too without close interaction.

I had the “opportunity” to raise my ducks indoors next to my bed, they grew up with my dogs walking around them and my dogs are accustomed to the ducks now too. Just be very careful when allowing dogs and ducks to mingle!

I’m sure once the weather warms up and you can just sit outside or work on your garden with them, they will become more comfortable with you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[chickenmeadow]

My 1st time broody hatched & reared 4 chicks this year, she taught them to be wise & cautious when anyone or anything came around, eventually including me. They started out easy going, then very alerted (for other mean hens in the flock, etc.), & stayed that way even after their broody mama was on her own.

Last week on my day off we had an especially sunny day, so I took the 8 wk old chicks outside to a pen on the grass & enjoyed a couple of hours lying against the pen up next to them on the grass in the unfenced meadow. They were able to curiously touch & peck my fingers & toes to become more comfortable with me. If the area was better fenced from predators, I would have just let the chicks out to climb around on me (& eat/drink right next to me) as I sat or layed down at their level; that's how I usually get everyone cozy & comfortable. Have fun! Best wishes.

 

[happy duck]

This morning I went out, put a towel in my lap, and put them in my lap. Mine love to cuddle! You need just to spend LOTS of time with them. When I first got them I spent all day with them. They bonded really well. They still run from me sometimes, but then warm up.
*NOTE: Ducks will run from you if they think you are going to pick them up, at least mine do. Just let them know that you are not going to hurt them/pick them up.

 

[Miss Carcajou]

Maybe instead of justvtreats you can hand feed them their real food so you don’t have to worry about spoiling them. My girls love when I give them their food as treats!

Sit with them any chance you get, and you don’t have to be feeding them! Just talk softly and let them get used to your presence. If you feel comfortable let the dogs around them too with the ducks in the kennel so they’re safe, maybe keep the dogs about a few feet away so the ducks can just observe them too without close interaction.

I had the “opportunity” to raise my ducks indoors next to my bed, they grew up with my dogs walking around them and my dogs are accustomed to the ducks now too. Just be very careful when allowing dogs and ducks to mingle!

I’m sure once the weather warms up and you can just sit outside or work on your garden with them, they will become more comfortable with you.

I took them outside today and let the dogs walk around them, and just sat around and talked a bit. Small steps, but seemed to help! I left them alone for fifteen minutes while I went inside to do something, and when I came back out they perked up to my voice and didn't run away until I stepped into the outdoor pen.

I know it will just take time, I just want to encourage things in a positive direction.

 

[happy duck]

Great!!! That sounds like good progress!!!!! It will take time, just be patient and it will come. GOOD LUCK

 

[CarleeAnn]

I took them outside today and let the dogs walk around them, and just sat around and talked a bit. Small steps, but seemed to help! I left them alone for fifteen minutes while I went inside to do something, and when I came back out they perked up to my voice and didn't run away until I stepped into the outdoor pen.

I know it will just take time, I just want to encourage things in a positive direction.

Sounds like that’s a good routine!! My ducks also love routines. If you stick to it they’ll learn fast! But then they’ll get upset if you change..