Bonding Trouble with 3-Week-Old Ducks — Advice Needed

[Helloducks22]

Need Advice: How Can I Get My Ducks to Trust Me?

Hi all, I could really use some advice on how to help my ducklings become less fearful of me and more bonded overall.

The Backstory:

I brought home two female ducklings — a Welsh Harlequin and a Buff — about a week and a half ago. They were 11 days old at the time, so they’re around 20 days old now. I chose these breeds specifically because they’re known for being friendly and easygoing.

Originally, I had three ducklings. Sadly, one of the Buffs passed away five days ago due to hypothermia. She had gotten wet from sitting water that had collected in a container near their waterer — water that had spilled over from their actual feeder. I didn’t realize how dangerous that could be or that she hadn’t dried off properly afterward. It was a painful and preventable mistake that I take full responsibility for and still feel incredibly guilty about. My other two ducks were with me when I tried to warm her up, and they were there when she passed away on my chest.

Important Note:
Even before that incident, the ducks were already fearful of me. They’ve always been skittish and avoided me when I approached, so the loss of their flockmate may have only added to that stress but it didn’t cause it.

The Problem:

They still run to the opposite side of the brooder whenever I come near. I move slowly, talk softly, click my tongue, and rest my hand nearby — but after a minute or two of trying, I often have to pick them up to clean their space or bring them out for activities. I know grabbing them can set bonding back, but I’m being as gentle as possible.

I’ve been trying to build positive associations by giving them daily “enrichment” time — either letting them splash in a tub inside or taking them outdoors briefly. But I live in Wisconsin, and the weather hasn’t been over 75°F yet, so outside time has to be limited and carefully monitored. Still, even with these activities, their fear hasn’t improved. They continue to run from me, and lately they’ve started nipping when I put my hands in the brooder. They even nipped at guests this past weekend.

I’m feeling stuck. I got these ducks to be part of the family — as pets, for egg-laying, and to help with pest control in my orchard. I also have young nieces and nephews who visit often, and I’m worried that if this behavior continues or escalates, someone could get hurt.

What I Need Help With:

How do I rebuild trust and encourage bonding?

Is their fear mostly from being older (11 days) when I got them?

Could witnessing their flockmate’s death have deepened that fear?

How long should I realistically expect it to take before things improve?


The last 10 days have been really tough. I want to do right by these girls, help them feel safe and loved, and not live in fear of my own animals. I’m also hoping to create a space where others — especially kids — can interact with them safely.

Side Note:
I did a ton of research before bringing these ducks home and felt well-prepared — but I didn’t fully understand the impact of not getting them during their earliest days. That was definitely a lesson learned.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read this and offer guidance. I’m all ears.

 

[ruthhope]

Need Advice: How Can I Get My Ducks to Trust Me?

Hi all, I could really use some advice on how to help my ducklings become less fearful of me and more bonded overall.

The Backstory:

I brought home two female ducklings — a Welsh Harlequin and a Buff — about a week and a half ago. They were 11 days old at the time, so they’re around 20 days old now. I chose these breeds specifically because they’re known for being friendly and easygoing.

Originally, I had three ducklings. Sadly, one of the Buffs passed away five days ago due to hypothermia. She had gotten wet from sitting water that had collected in a container near their waterer — water that had spilled over from their actual feeder. I didn’t realize how dangerous that could be or that she hadn’t dried off properly afterward. It was a painful and preventable mistake that I take full responsibility for and still feel incredibly guilty about. My other two ducks were with me when I tried to warm her up, and they were there when she passed away on my chest.

Important Note:
Even before that incident, the ducks were already fearful of me. They’ve always been skittish and avoided me when I approached, so the loss of their flockmate may have only added to that stress but it didn’t cause it.

The Problem:

They still run to the opposite side of the brooder whenever I come near. I move slowly, talk softly, click my tongue, and rest my hand nearby — but after a minute or two of trying, I often have to pick them up to clean their space or bring them out for activities. I know grabbing them can set bonding back, but I’m being as gentle as possible.

I’ve been trying to build positive associations by giving them daily “enrichment” time — either letting them splash in a tub inside or taking them outdoors briefly. But I live in Wisconsin, and the weather hasn’t been over 75°F yet, so outside time has to be limited and carefully monitored. Still, even with these activities, their fear hasn’t improved. They continue to run from me, and lately they’ve started nipping when I put my hands in the brooder. They even nipped at guests this past weekend.

I’m feeling stuck. I got these ducks to be part of the family — as pets, for egg-laying, and to help with pest control in my orchard. I also have young nieces and nephews who visit often, and I’m worried that if this behavior continues or escalates, someone could get hurt.

What I Need Help With:

How do I rebuild trust and encourage bonding?

Is their fear mostly from being older (11 days) when I got them?

Could witnessing their flockmate’s death have deepened that fear?

How long should I realistically expect it to take before things improve?


The last 10 days have been really tough. I want to do right by these girls, help them feel safe and loved, and not live in fear of my own animals. I’m also hoping to create a space where others — especially kids — can interact with them safely.

Side Note:
I did a ton of research before bringing these ducks home and felt well-prepared — but I didn’t fully understand the impact of not getting them during their earliest days. That was definitely a lesson learned.

Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read this and offer guidance. I’m all ears.

Ducklings are very variable in their skittishness. Unless you hatch the ducklings there is no guarantee ducklings will be amenable to petting. But skittish 3 week old ducklings can still mature into friendly ducks. I adopted two jumbo pekins at about 2 weeks old in April. I put them at 2 weeks and less than 3 weeks as they had no feathers. They were curious but only average on skittishnesh. Then they had acute niacin deficiency on their 2nd day with me. So I had close handling and management of them for the next week. They were accustomed to me handling them, shouted when they needed anything (food, water, to jump out from their swimming session). They continue to do those things although they are now 10+ weeks old and running round the back garden with the rest of the flock for most of the day. Yet they run away if I go to pick them up, shout loudly and unhappily when I pick them up, though they settle down quickly; they nolonger want to sit with me and be petted. Yet I have others I adopted as juveniles that don't want to be picked up but always come when I call, and follow me round the garden. Ducks are just like that.

My only boy that is cuddly and wants attention and cuddling came to me on his 2nd day after hatching as a collapsed and severely sick cold duckling. I rescusitated him and gave him all the care he needed but several days after recovering he became listless and disinterest in food and water. He was depressed and his cuddly soft toy duck and mirror were not adequate. Despite my efforts to find similar size/age ducklings to keep him company, I didn't find any until he was 6 weeks old. So I had to have him out on my desk between me and my laptop while I was working. Fortunately I worked from home! He was obsessed with trying to peck off the 4 Microsoft squares from the bottom left of my keyboard. He is deeply bonded and attached to his mama but the downside is that he bites me demanding attention. He is the only one of my flock that does it. My shins, calves and forearms get covered with bruises particularly in the spring. Having an amorous muscovy drake in the duck house is not fun!

So take your ducklings as they are, continue to give them a lot of attention and enrichment, and spend time with them sitting down at their height. The chances are you will have friendly adult ducks, even if they are not cuddly

 

[Helloducks22]

Ducklings are very variable in their skittishness. Unless you hatch the ducklings there is no guarantee ducklings will be amenable to petting. But skittish 3 week old ducklings can still mature into friendly ducks. I adopted two jumbo pekins at about 2 weeks old in April. I put them at 2 weeks and less than 3 weeks as they had no feathers. They were curious but only average on skittishnesh. Then they had acute niacin deficiency on their 2nd day with me. So I had close handling and management of them for the next week. They were accustomed to me handling them, shouted when they needed anything (food, water, to jump out from their swimming session). They continue to do those things although they are now 10+ weeks old and running round the back garden with the rest of the flock for most of the day. Yet they run away if I go to pick them up, shout loudly and unhappily when I pick them up, though they settle down quickly; they nolonger want to sit with me and be petted. Yet I have others I adopted as juveniles that don't want to be picked up but always come when I call, and follow me round the garden. Ducks are just like that.

My only boy that is cuddly and wants attention and cuddling came to me on his 2nd day after hatching as a collapsed and severely sick cold duckling. I rescusitated him and gave him all the care he needed but several days after recovering he became listless and disinterest in food and water. He was depressed and his cuddly soft toy duck and mirror were not adequate. Despite my efforts to find similar size/age ducklings to keep him company, I didn't find any until he was 6 weeks old. So I had to have him out on my desk between me and my laptop while I was working. Fortunately I worked from home! He was obsessed with trying to peck off the 4 Microsoft squares from the bottom left of my keyboard. He is deeply bonded and attached to his mama but the downside is that he bites me demanding attention. He is the only one of my flock that does it. My shins, calves and forearms get covered with bruises particularly in the spring. Having an amorous muscovy drake in the duck house is not fun!

So take your ducklings as they are, continue to give them a lot of attention and enrichment, and spend time with them sitting down at their height. The chances are you will have friendly adult ducks, even if they are not cuddly

Thank you for sharing your experience. The phrase “take your ducklings as they are” really stuck with me. It’s a great reminder to keep showing up for them with love.

Also, your story about your duckling pecking at the Microsoft logo genuinely made me smile. I’ll keep spending time with my girls and trust the bond will grow in its own way.