Bonding/ imprinting

[Ray123]

I have 2 ducklings they are one week old and I am wondering how I could get them to bond or imprint? they will eat out of my hand and if I take them out they Will use me as broody mother but when I put my hands in the broader or try to pick them up they run away and act scared

 

[EverythingDucks]

You can sit in the bathroom with them and feed them treats or food. Try to let them come to you, since they are often prey to other animals they can be quite skittish. Do this for about 5 mins, maybe 2-5 times daily. Soon they will come to trust you

 

[Ray123]

You can sit in the bathroom with them and feed them treats or food. Try to let them come to you, since they are often prey to other animals they can be quite skittish. Do this for about 5 mins, maybe 2-5 times daily. Soon they will come to trust you

And what kinda of treats should I give them?

 

[EverythingDucks]

And what kinda of treats should I give them?

You can give them a bit of meal worms, boiled or scrambled eggs chopped up real fine, or just their food.

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

You can give them a bit of meal worms, boiled or scrambled eggs chopped up real fine, or just their food.

These are good treat suggestions. Make sure if your giving treats other than food that you provide a small dish of grit. Best of luck with your ducklings!
-Rachel

 

[Ray123]

I found a bag in my shed that said grit On it, is this what your talking about?

 

[RJKnott]

My Pekins were skittish when I put my hands in their brooder too. But if I picked them up they snuggled into me and now that they are bigger they are the same. One thing I did was I kept them near me through the day. I work from home so I would have them next to me while working. When I could I would just drop my hand down at my side into their. brooder and keep it there a while til they got used to it.
after a while they weren’t as skittish and would come over and nibble on my hand. They also liked to be held and sit on my shoulder.

they also liked to throw lettuce at me the turn around and pretend like it wasn’t them... ducks are fun