building duckling trust

[alexislarsen]

Hi all!

We have four 4-day old silver Appleyard ducklings and I wanted to work on getting them comfortable with us. We've refrained from handling them too much in the last 3 days and they're still running away when we reach in the brooder to give them fresh water and food. I think getting on their level is important but difficult to do in the small brooder. We set up an enclosed area yesterday outside and sat with them but only for about 8 minutes, didn't want them to get cold! Anyway, I'm looking for tips and tricks to get them less afraid of us as they quickly get bigger and don't seem so fragile!

Thanks!

 

[CoriM]

My kids and I handled our ducklings all the time when they're little. I wanted them to be friendly. They were in a brooder in my kitchen for two months and we interacted with them all the time. That said, when I would go to pick them up out of the brooder (wading pool) they would always squawk and run away from me like I was terrifying. Arghh! When I go out to their run now they sometimes will get up and move away, especially if it seems like I'm trying to catch one of them. Other times they will lay still and ignore me if I'm just doing a chore. If I spend time in there most of them will come close and nibble on me, and if I have treats they come running to me.

 

[DuckyDonna]

First of all to get them less afraid of you handle them more not less!

 

[Miss Lydia]

The trick is letting them down and y’all sitting on the ground or floor so your more at their level. Being still and quiet talking quietly, fast sudden movements and standing up over them brings out the prey instinct. Anything coming over from the top is going to be scary.