Anyone need help taming their ducks? Its a thing!

[Aunt Angus]

I take my ducks for walks, but not with collars and leashes. We have 5 acres and we go on, "foraging walks," where I supervise them and they search for bugs and eat grass and dandelion leaves.

My ducks live for walks, and I take them most days. They stand at their aviary door quacking loudly for me, and burst out when I open it. We stick together, they follow me and I follow them. When someone gets distracted and wanders a little too far I call them back, and reward them with mealworms. When it is time to go home they follow me in an adorable line.

They key is having a reliable recall. That way you can keep them near you, and get them back in their run or aviary when you are ready to go back home. The way to teach that is pretty easy. Don't be scary. Give them delicious treats and say a unique noise while they are eating it. Do that for a few weeks. Then show them delicious treats and say the same unique noise the moment they start moving to you. Eventually you'll be able to get them to follow you just with the unique noise. I always try to give a reward after they recall to keep them motivated.

Think more dog park walk with attentive owner than a city leash walk.

Duck relationship goals.

 

[DrakeMom]

Everyone says you can't tame a duck, I beg to differ. My ducks are like puppy dogs! They follow me around everywhere, they let me pet them, they eat out of my hand, they are super sweet! Anyone else's ducks like this? Let me know! Also, anyone need help learning how to do it? They don't have to be babies! Mine weren't when I started taming them!

Same!!!

 

[Pekin duck mom]

what breed u breed

Rat Terriers. One of our Mama's actually had 8 puppies yesterday!

 

[SolarDuck]

Wonder if they have duck sized collars... i guess if you can tame them, you may could train them! If you succeed, PLEASE lmk how you did it!

Collars no.. harnesses yes. I recently bought a harness for my ducks from avianfashions. Its a harness/diaper and seems to work rather well. Girls are not very fond of it yet though.

 

[KaleIAm]

Just give them time, they will lighten up! Spend lots of time out there with them! You don't have to get near them, just be where they can see you. Sit down and just talk soft to them! When feeding them, feed about 2 feet away from you, just stand there and don't try to touch them or even bend down. Its different when you're just in the yard as they are not forced to come to you as for feeding, your pretty much saying "eat by me or don't eat at all". Obviously, that's not what you're trying to do but you have to remember...they are prey animals, its natural for them to be scared in the presence of you. God put that fear in them to keep them safe! Just keep that in mind. Also, make up a call in a certain tone and call them every day the same way before feeding them! They will catch on! (This call will need to be for feeding time only) here's a tip, treat them with something special besides duck food every once and a while! You would hate having to eat the same thing every day! They get tired of it too and i promise you, it won't hurt them! My duck favorite is spaghetti! Once they are comfortable doing this, (not going to give a certain amount of days because every duck is different) begin to feed them closer to you. (Maybe a foot or so) again, wait for them to become comfortable with this. Keep feeding them closer and closer to you and eventually you will be able to feed them at your feet! At this stage, you can try and bend down but don't talk or attempt to pet them, you are still building trust. When your ducks are responding to your duck call, feasting happily at your feet, following you around the yard and even quacking for you in the mornings, you can try reaching out and lightly touching them on the back. See their reaction! If hes ok with it, he will act like he didn't even feel it! If this is the case, stroke him once or twice on the back. Still good? Congratulations!!! Your duck is tame! If not, don't fret, you did nothing wrong. Try another duck and give him more time! He'll come around! Every duck is different! Remember, if one duck does it, the rest will most likely follow his example! Lmk if this helped! I hope your ducks do well and the method works!

My own ducks prefer not to be touched at all, but their least favorite way to be touched is by me standing over them and petting them on their backs. I think it really kicks in that prey instinct, since that would be how a predator would likely grab them - from the top.

They prefer me to touch them on their bills, feet, and chests. When I am in a squatting position, not towering over them.

Obviously, all ducks are different. I know some ducks, especially imprinted ducks, enjoy snuggling and being stroked down their backs.

 

[SolarDuck]

My own ducks prefer not to be touched at all, but their least favorite way to be touched is by me standing over them and petting them on their backs. I think it really kicks in that prey instinct, since that would be how a predator would likely grab them - from the top.

They prefer me to touch them on their bills, feet, and chests. When I am in a squatting position, not towering over them.

Obviously, all ducks are different. I know some ducks, especially imprinted ducks, enjoy snuggling and being stroked down their backs.

With Penguin and Pigeon were younger they didn't really like back pets they only liked being pet on the breast, but as they were feathering out they seemed to enjoy it more, now every time I go outside Pigeon comes right up to me and just turns around so I can pet her on her back because it is her favorite place to be pet now.

 

[Pekin duck mom]

My own ducks prefer not to be touched at all, but their least favorite way to be touched is by me standing over them and petting them on their backs. I think it really kicks in that prey instinct, since that would be how a predator would likely grab them - from the top.

They prefer me to touch them on their bills, feet, and chests. When I am in a squatting position, not towering over them.

Obviously, all ducks are different. I know some ducks, especially imprinted ducks, enjoy snuggling and being stroked down their backs.

Again, every duck is different, this is simply what worked for me! I have pekin ducks. Never had wild ducks so I imagine they are a little different... thank you for your opinion. Any info could help other mommas! But some methods work for some and other methods do better for others. I'm glad you were able to tame your ducks that way, mine actually hate being touched anywhere besides their back and chest. They let me but just really dont prefer it...Just trying to share what worked for me. I'm glad that worked for you!

 

[Pekin duck mom]

Collars no.. harnesses yes. I recently bought a harness for my ducks from avianfashions. Its a harness/diaper and seems to work rather well.

Wow! I had no idea they made those! Neat idea! Do you think you could send a link?

 

[SolarDuck]

Wow! I had no idea they made those! Neat idea! Do you think you could send a link?

https://avianfashions.com/products/diaper-harness

They are a bit pricey but worth it because you put in the ducks specific measurements to make sure you get the proper sized one. Here is a little video of Pigeon wearing it.

 

[Pekin duck mom]

https://avianfashions.com/products/diaper-harness

They are a bit pricey but worth it because you put in the ducks specific measurements to make sure you get the proper sized one. Here is a little video of Pigeon wearing it.

Awww! She's so cute!!! Do you attach a leash to them? Do they have any harnesses without diapers? Do you know? My ducks are pretty big...they are Pekins. What type of ducks do you have?