Any tips on bonding with ducks?

[rainy day ducks]

FOOD! Anything they consider food! Grass, grains, vegetable clippings... Throw it on the ground near them and then closer to you each time. When they are around you try holding some out to them. The braver ones will snatch it and others should follow siut. Within time you will be fighting your way through when it is time for them to eat. They will be pecking at your shoelaces!

 

[shaylabailey]

Thank you all for this information! I'll try some peas since that seems to be a common well-liked snack from what you've all said, haha

I have been holding them each day and they are definitely getting better; the two runners will shut up as soon as you hold them to you and they get nice and settled and only peep periodically while you hold them. The crested pekin is a pecker and a fighter but I don't put them down until they completely settle down and calm themselves.
Also, yesterday they actually drank in front of me the other day!

They haven't done that but I've learned that the largest, the blue swedish, is their leader so when he was thirsty, they all got up and got a drink. They are bullying on the female runner so I worry for her...
And I need to get a couple more hens since I made an oopsies and got far too many males.

Will it be at all possible for them to get over their fear of me and actually come up to me willingly and/or let me pet them without chasing them down and snatching them up?

 

[ChickInDelight]

I don't handle my ducks. I have plenty of other pets that want to be petted, and my ducks shun touch. Mine need to keep some predator instinct.

My ducks do, however, come when called. They also follow me without being called, practically walking on my feet.

I suggest you call them to you when you feed them.
Let them eat out of your hand.
Let them get hungry, and take a bowl out. Pet them while they eat out of the bowl.

 

[jamband]

^^ that pic is great.....

When you say maintain the predator instinct are you saying that bonding too close to humans has potential to put their guard down so to speak? I would be interested to hear about that because I plan on free ranging mine during the day and want them safe as possible

 

[lilcrow]

Quote:
This is so interesting....I'm so glad to find out about the peas. I recently acquired 4 ducklings, 2 Blue Swedes and 2 Cayuga's. I got them as hopeful companions to a lonely Am. Buff goose whose mate "flew the coop." I've been trying to tame my ducklings with little success. They were 2 and 4 wks when I got them, and I don't think they're much tamer than they were the day that I picked them up. This is a sad turn for me as I was hoping for a repeat experience like I had as a child. When I was 3 yrs old, yes 3, I got a baby duck at the county fair. It and I bonded strongly and the duck grew up, following me everywhere I went. It would even follow me to the corner dairy where I would buy a 5 cent ice cream cone. I sure did love the duck, and I think about it a lot; obviously, since I got the 4 ducklings with the hope of recreating that experience. However, as they always say, you can never go home.
I'm going to purchase a couple of goslings for my goose, but before I introduce them to her, they're going to spend A LOT of time with me.
Nancy

 

[Simone Crafford]

I have raised lots of ducklings and it takes a few weeks just for them to get use to your company some may choose other people more quickly but soon they too will enjoy your company , its all about the safety and food .