Awww! Yes! Please share your tips to help others out!!!
1) I stopped doing everything scary. My ducks didn't like it when I walked fast, walked directly at them, made direct eye contact, or did anything else that made me seem like a predator. So I walked slowly in big arcs around them and looked next to them instead of at them. I noted anything that made them behave afraid and avoided it. They didn't like being surprised, so I spoke well in advance as I approached their aviary. They even felt afraid when I stood near them so I actually crawled several feet away before standing. I know it seems ridiculous, but I wanted them to not see me as scary and I was willing to do whatever it took. They are afraid of ladders and brooms so I used those items where they couldn't see them.
2) Everytime they saw me I made it a positive experience. I wanted them to think, "yay that human is coming!" So even if I was just passing to grab a wrench from the shop I threw them some mealworms. If they caught a glimpse of me they would get some of their favorite snack.
3) I spent crazy amounts of time being still with them. I put a blanket in their aviary and brought a book, my knitting, my lunch, and of course a little jar of mealworms. I hung out with them being quiet and still for as much time as possible. Periodically I threw mealworms to them. As they became comfortable eating the mealworms I threw them closer and closer to me. Eventually they were eating from my hands and lap. It usually took a week or more for them to get comfortable eating mealworms 20 feet away from me, and then I would throw them 15 feet away. They would be very nervous at first, so I would ignore them and read while they ate. As they got comfortable I would look next to them. I was very patient, worked at their pace, and moved as slowly as they needed. I forced nothing.
As they got comfortable I quietly said the same phrase while they ate mealworms, "come here ducks." It has been extremely useful. I can call my ducks off our pond!
It took about 2-3 months of dedicated positive association training for my ducks to respond differently to me. Over the years they have continued to bond with me, and I forget they used to be terrified of me.
Now I can walk toward them and behave more normally around them, but if I'm carrying a scary ladder I'll walk in a big circles around them. I feel like my ducks are about as friendly as non imprinted ducks can be expected to be. They bob their heads with excitement when they see me coming, and when we go for walks they stay near me intentionally. When I sit down they sit next to me, often close enough that I can feel them.
i guess if you can tame them, you may could train them! If you succeed, PLEASE lmk how you did it!
We have raised ours since hatching or day old ducklings and between me, and 3 of our kids we've always handled our ducks ALOT. After our last 6 ducklings moved outside Im pretty sure I only want to take on adult ducks from here on out, so I'll have to keep this info in case I ever need it.
