Can a day old duckling imprint on me?

[KenjiQuacker]

I'm planning on getting two ducklings this april, and I really want them to imprint on me so that it's easier to tame them. I'll be spending almost all day with them from the moment I get them because of how much I love ducks lol. If I get them at a day old, will they still imprint on me, or will they imprint on the person that hatched them and be afraid of me? Also, what's the latest age for imprinting?

Thanks!

 

[arwoon]

I'm planning on getting two ducklings this april, and I really want them to imprint on me so that it's easier to tame them. If I get them at a day old, will they still imprint on me, or will they imprint on the person that hatched them and be afraid of me? Also, what's the latest age for imprinting?

Thanks!

I think day old is fine!! Its so exciting that your getting duckies!

 

[Lady507]

Hello, although they will imprint also on the person that hatched them, they should easily learn to recognize and follow you too. they take from 24-48 hours to fully imprint on someone after hatching. So if you get them at a day old they should imprint onto you fine. You just have to make sure to be there for them as they will follow you around and copy you as best they can. After the third day is when things like fear is learned and then you might struggle just a bit more. But even then if you feed them and spend time with them, they should imprint either way.

 

[KenjiQuacker]

I think day old is fine!! Its so exciting that your getting duckies!

Oh yay, I'm really glad to hear that! And yeah it is, I've been researching and asking my mom for two years now, so I'm super excited.

 

[KenjiQuacker]

Hello, although they will imprint also on the person that hatched them, they should easily learn to recognize and follow you too. they take from 24-48 hours to fully imprint on someone after hatching. So if you get them at a day old they should imprint onto you fine. You just have to make sure to be there for them as they will follow you around and copy you as best they can. After the third day is when things like fear is learned and then you might struggle just a bit more. But even then if you feed them and spend time with them, they should imprint either way.

Oh cool! I'll definitely be there for them since I'm doing and online self - paced school with quarantine, and I finish school in about an hour each day. The rest of the day I'll probably be spending with them. Thanks for the warning about the fear coming in on day 3, I'll make sure not to get discouraged even if they become a little afraid of me.

 

[Lady507]

Oh cool! I'll definitely be there for them since I'm doing and online self - paced school with quarantine, and I finish school in about an hour each day. The rest of the day I'll probably be spending with them. Thanks for the warning about the fear coming in on day 3, I'll make sure not to get discouraged even if they become a little afraid of me.

Jaja no problem, enjoy them, baby ducklings are the cutest thing there is. Nothing better than raising a pair. You situation sounds perfect, you will have 2 very happy little ducklings!!

 

[KenjiQuacker]

Jaja no problem, enjoy them, baby ducklings are the cutest thing there is. Nothing better than raising a pair. You situation sounds perfect, you will have 2 very happy little ducklings!!

Thanks! Ducklings are amazing. With quarantine I'll have have lots of time to spend with them, so I'm hoping they will be pretty happy! they'll get looots of love.