Anti-social ducks

[dreamingfarming]

Is there anything I can do to calm the nerves of my ducks. I have Muscovy ( 3) that I obtained at 2 or 3 days old from a friend. Now they in term have laid and hatched out 4 babies. I also have 2 pekin hens and 1 Khaki Campbell ( all of which I had from a few days old). I don't expect them to be cuddly or wanting to be pet but I would like that they not run away when I enter the pen. I can get closer to my chickens than I can with the ducks. I only had one male Khaki duck that would actually come up close to me and even didn't mind a stroke on the back now and again. The rest move away unless I have food. My chickens actually walk right by me sometimes close enough to where I trip over them, they pay me no mind when free ranging. Its like I'm their worst nightmare.

Plus the Muscovy drake ( I only have one male all other ducks are females) raises his crests, hisses, and does that little dance they do like he wants challenge me. I've read that's what they do when they are "happy" however I've been around plenty Muscovy from my friend's home and even "wild" Muscovy at a local Walmart. None of them act the way this male does. The only time I seen them act this way was when they were about to fight.

Right now I have 4 baby Muscovy ducks from the pair above and even they run like mad in their enclosure. I tried picking one up and received some nasty claw marks on my skin.

At first I didn't think I would like chickens and thought I would prefer ducks, but having owning both now I can honestly say I love my chickens more. So much more "social" personality.

 

[Alexandra33]

Sadly, I can actually relate, dreamingfarming. I raised 3 Mallards (one of which is a drake), 2 Khakis, and a Buff duck in February of this year, and they hated me from the start. They would scream bloody murder every time I walked into the room, and forget about holding them! Believe it or not, I was never able to teach them to swim because if I had attempted to, they probably would have gone insane. Now they are grown, and I can't walk near them, which is much like your current situation. About your aggressive Muscovy drake, what I do with my boy when he gives me attitude by fluffing his head is to catch him and pin him to the ground until he calms down and submits. This lets him know that I'm boss, and that I won't stand for any belligerent behavior from him. My endeavor of earning my ducks' confidence hasn't shown substantial progress yet, but I have been giving them a lot of treats, mainly bread, corn, and peas, and now they surprisingly will eat from my hands. Trust me, this is not something that they EVER would have done as babies. What I have seen by now is that the fewer ducklings you have at a time, usually they bond with you better. I bought 2 Cayugas and a Blue Runner almost 3 weeks ago, and they have definitely imprinted on me. I am happy to report that they are spectacular ducks with wonderful personalities, and that the difference between them and my adult ducks is like night and day. They love to sit in my lap and be petted, not to mention that they are extremely calm; you don't have to tip-toe around them for fear that you might frighten them. But overall, I feel your pain with regard to my mature ducks, and I must agree that our 30 chickens are much friendlier and more personable in general, with the exception of my newest ducklings.

-Alexandra33

 

[dreamingfarming]

Thank you Alexandra,

I just don't understand it. All the other animals rabbits, chickens, etc are fine and welcome but the ducks are just standoffish. Yet I raised each animal with constant touch and interaction. My neighbor also has ducks but they don't interact with them and it shows( trampling run another to get away) I can say mine aren't as bad but its still disheartening. Especially when I read about other people's ducks following them around like dogs.

As for the Muscovy drake I tried the suggestion of pinning him down and he got quiet, then when I left and came back for feeding he did the same thing again.

 

[needlessjunk]

Food and treats are the way to my ducks hearts. They beg at the back door and go nuts if they think I have food. Once they figure out that I don't have anything they waddle off and could care less that I'm around. I spend hours with them each day as ducklings and still spend a fair amount of time with them. Try just still and putting food around you. Don't try to touch them or anything just get them use to you being there. I also have chickens and they are generally friendlier than my ducks. The way I see it is that ducks have no defense from anything so everything is scary. Chickens at least have claws, beaks and can somewhat fly so they aren't *as* scared of things.

 

[Alexandra33]

I don't know for sure that the method of dominance works in all situations, but all I can say is be persistent and keep at it. Maybe eventually he will get the idea. To make you feel a little better, even if your ducks are unfriendly, it's nothing you did wrong; I devoted so much love and attention to my first ducklings, and they still don't want to even live in the same universe with me. It all depends on the ducks, I guess. Another thing I've noticed is that, in our case, when you have quite a few ducklings, they all follow each other and imprint upon each other rather than you. My Mallards were hateful from the beginning, and because everyone had bonded, they started acting the exact same way. Once, my Buff, Kyrie, had an injured foot, and I had to bring her into the house to watch over her, so she was separated from the rest. Instead of being the usual skittish, loud, and nervous girl that she is, she was calm and quiet by herself. I was VERY surprised! Kyrie was a completely different duck without the others. That proved to me that they all influence each other in a negative way.

-Alexandra33

 

[Alexandra33]

Food and treats are the way to my ducks hearts. They beg at the back door and go nuts if they think I have food. Once they figure out that I don't have anything they waddle off and could care less that I'm around. I spend hours with them each day as ducklings and still spend a fair amount of time with them. Try just still and putting food around you. Don't try to touch them or anything just get them use to you being there. I also have chickens and they are generally friendlier than my ducks. The way I see it is that ducks have no defense from anything so everything is scary. Chickens at least have claws, beaks and can somewhat fly so they are *as* scared of things.

I have you to thank for something, needlessjunk. I saw a post of yours on The Duck Thread a while back, and you had posted pictures of your extremely adorable flock, and your Blue Runner jumped out at me right away. So, because of this, I added to my newest duck order of 2 Cayugas.....a Blue Runner!

As it turns out, she is probably one of my very favorite birds that I have; and tremendously cuddly. You inspired this purchase.

-Alexandra33

 

[needlessjunk]

I have you to thank for something, needlessjunk. I saw a post of yours on The Duck Thread a while back, and you had posted pictures of your extremely adorable flock, and your Blue Runner jumped out at me right away. So, because of this, I added to my newest duck order of 2 Cayugas.....a Blue Runner!  As it turns out, she is probably one of my very favorite birds that I have; and tremendously cuddly. You inspired this purchase.

-Alexandra33

Aww

I love my blue runner too! She is huge for a runner and is the most outgoing. I'm glad you like yours! You're so sweet.

 

[dreamingfarming]

Thank you both for you helpful suggestions. I give the ducks treats probably not good for them treats.....like bread.......but they love it. Alexandra, I don't know why but I had a hunch the drake was influencing the other ducks, I removed him for a bit and although the ducks were still wary of me, it wasn't as bad....though. I removed the drake again at feeding time and the rest of the ducks came a little closer to me. Now I'm thinking about removing the drake altogether he likes the "challenge" me when I walk by the enclosure and the other ducks will move off. Its hard to correct him when I have to go to work. I can't believe I missed it.....after reading what I wrote its the drake. He's only tried to attack me once through the fence otherwise when I enter the enclosure he will move the females off away from me. He's the only drake I have unfortunately.......sigh.

 

[needlessjunk]

Thank you both for you helpful suggestions.  I give the ducks treats probably not good for them treats.....like bread.......but they love it.  Alexandra, I don't know why but I had a hunch the drake was influencing the other ducks,  I removed him for a bit and although the ducks were still wary of me, it wasn't as bad....though.  I removed the drake again at feeding time and the rest of the ducks came a little closer to me. Now I'm thinking about removing the drake altogether he likes the "challenge" me when I walk by the enclosure and the other ducks will move off.  Its hard to correct him when I have to go to work.  I can't believe I missed it.....after reading what I wrote its the drake.  He's only tried to attack me once through the fence otherwise when I enter the enclosure he will move the females off away from me.  He's the only drake I have unfortunately.......sigh.

Try peas for treats. That stuff is duck crack! I haven't had any of my drakes come after me but if one did they would be picked up and held for a while. My ducks also like kale, watermelon, and various kitchen scraps. Bread isn't a good treat but as long as you keep it too small quantities it should be okay. Meal worms are a big hit along with any other bugs I come across along with feeder gold fish.

 

[dreamingfarming]

The drake only did it once and it was only when I was outside the fence. Otherwise he just does that weird "dance" with the raised crest and the hiss noise. He's too heavy for me to pickup last time I tried I got a wing to the face, lol. What's wrong with the bread? When I get a call for free bread that's when they get it. I'd like to do the meal worms but they are expensive.