Advice on new terrified ducks.

[andreacroyle]

I am hoping to get advice. This weekend while at the farm swap I bought 4 white muscovy ducklings and two adult chocolate rippled hens. These two were given to her and they are scared. She said that her rooster was picking on them. It was obvious they were scared but I figured that they would calm down when they were no longer in that environment.

Well, I fear that I made a big mistake. These two hens are TERRIFIED. When I go into the run they start flying around like I am trying to catch them and kill them when all I am doing is walking over to the coop to see the new ducklings and clean. I am not sure what was done two these two ducks but it wasnt good.
Has anyone experienced this? I have never seen muscovies act like this. They act as if they are going to have have a heart attack if I was to actually try and catch one instead of just be present.

Can this behavior be changed in adult ducks or am I wasting my time. I have 6 other ducks that like us and like to be pets. Should I return these ducks and go for more personable chocolate hens or is there hope? I dont have a farm or the room for "problem ducks" if there isnt hope then I would like to get them back to their other owner.

Any advice would be helpful.

 

[SouthernPride]

That's too bad. We want all of our feathered friends to like us or at the very least, be comfortable around us. If it were me, I would give it some time. Try sitting in there with them calmly every day. Give treats to the others each time and I think they will eventually calm down. Do you have any idea how old they are? You will probably never have them "eating out of your hand' so to speak, but they will soon learn to trust you. Their instincts are in high gear!

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

X2.

 

[andreacroyle]

X2.

what does this mean ?

 

[andreacroyle]

That's too bad. We want all of our feathered friends to like us or at the very least, be comfortable around us. If it were me, I would give it some time. Try sitting in there with them calmly every day. Give treats to the others each time and I think they will eventually calm down. Do you have any idea how old they are? You will probably never have them "eating out of your hand' so to speak, but they will soon learn to trust you. Their instincts are in high gear!

Thanks for the reply. I decided to trim their wings and nails today because every time I go in the run one of them flies around like a lunatic bashing into things. It is only a 10x10 run so in my opinion it is super dangerous. She frayed her feathers and actually landed on my son's head leaving a big scratch down his back last night and all we were doing was standing there. she reacted much much better than I thought she would when I was holding her. she didnt struggle or have a heart attack which I thought was going to happen. after fully inspecting them both and clipping their wings and nails, I have to say that they were NOT taken care of. They have scaly dry skin, they only weigh a few pounds, the crazy one that can fly has scabbed sores (maybe from flying) on her wing tips. The other one (Ethel) had toe nails that actually curled like a dogs when they are never walked and most of her feathers are just straws. all the feather part of the feather is gone. I will post a pic. I dont know anything about these birds. The lady said that a friend of hers had them and gave them to her. she doesnt want them because they act scared. I have a feeling that she wouldnt have given me the truth regardless. I broke one of the main rules I have read and bought two animals because I felt sorry for them.
Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[DUCKOBSESSED]

what does this mean ?

It means I agree with the post above it. They gave good advise and i had nothing else to add. Just in less words lol.

 

[SouthernPride]

I can't stop from rescuing even if it means buying them. Your 2 muscovies will be so much better off now. That is so rewarding.