Are my ducklings imprinted?

[QueenZada]

I was wondering if my ducklings have imprinted on me or if they are just being friendly? I have two female flying Mallard ducklings I ordered online from Murray Mcmurray Hatchery. They are currently four weeks old. So, this I what they do. I have a special call for them, and if I call to them and they can't see me, they cry and try to find me. They also cry if they are separated from each other. They also come almost always when I call. They do follow me and will sit down next to me. I do spend quite a bit of time with them. I take them outside to forage for bugs. They absolutely LOVE bugs. I catch bugs for them and feed them from my hand and they take it. They do let me pet them. one of the two ducklings was a runt from the start. She is a bit more skittish than her sister, but still follows me and cries for me. They are also very smart. If I walk into the house they don't get as upset as when I walk into the woods or the field without them. They must know the house is means safety, since they did live in the house for a while when the were smaller. Now they have a pen outside, and sleep in an aquarium in the basement at night. They also like snuggling with me. So I was wondering, do you think they live me equally? Like as in they love me as much as they love each other?

 

[Tevyes Dad]

It sounds like your ducklings have imprinted on you and they consider you mom

They have seen each other so they know they are ducks and you aren't a duck (this doesn't stop you from being mom though.) This is a good thing in the long run. Ducks that are confused about what they are have problems due to that confusion. Now you need to really enjoy how they are because being a ducklings mom is one of the greatest things you can do! But in 3-4 weeks they will start getting their feathers and will transition from ducklings to ducks. In the wild, once ducklings get to this point, their mom is just another duck to them. So what will happen is you will still be "mom", but that isn't special on its own. When ducks start fending for themselves they approach everything with fear. New foods, new places and yes even you (a human). But don't be distraught. If you spend time with them as grown ducks, they will grow to trust you and love you and this bond will last their entire life (unless they are broody or actively raising ducklings and then all bets are off for a little while). I am not telling you this to be a wet blanket. I just want you to fully enjoy them now for what they are - ducklings are WONDERFUL and they grow up WAY to fast. I want you to not worry when they start acting more skittish. This is normal. Just be nice to them. Give them some treats, and don't give up on them. They will become great friends that will be with you for a long time. Our ducklings used to climb up on our shoulders and watch TV with us. Our ducks follow us around the yard. They peck at our ankles and feet to get attention when we sit with them. They come over and listen when we talk to them. If we lay out in the yard on a blanket, they will sometimes come over and lay down next to us, but they don't really like to be picked up anymore but that's OK, they're ducks

Feel free to read the book in my signature. This is the story of our ducklings who have become our flock.

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