Dreaming of spring

[Wild Duck]

Hey all, happy Sunday. I’m out with the ducks right now, enjoying my pipe and letting my mind wander, and I started having pleasant thoughts of spring. Of course, like all of my thoughts of the future, they might not be all realistic or practical. But hey, that’s why I have you guys to crush my dreams.

So I’m one of those people who wishes he handled his ducks more as ducklings. That being said, spring brings a world opportunity and at least for me, another chance. BUT OF COURSE, I also want to enjoy the experience of having a duck go broody and seeing mama duck raise her ducklings. And I’m sure that’s gonna work in the opposite direction of my goal, but it will be adorable, right? That being said, I’m willing to settle on getting at least just one duckling this spring to love me.

Now, I spend a lot of time with my ducks, but I don’t have enough time to imprint on a single duck and be it’s only friend. But I got to wondering if I took a duckling at day one, or maybe even incubate an egg same day hen goes broody, and spent a lot of one on one time with it. I work two days on and two days off and it’d be nice to have that single duck pet, get some duck diapers let it inside for two days deal, then when its time to work put it back with the flock. I know this might not be as easy as Im dreaming or even possible but I’m wondering if anyones ever done this before? Any help and knowledge is always greatly appreciated!

Another quick question, both my drakes are white layers from metzer farms. My hens are golden 300s, buff orpington, and mallard. I’m wondering if anyone has any insight on how that white will play into feather color (hopefully not all white ducklings). Thanks!

 

[Kkrista123]

Spend lot's of time sitting on the ground with your flock. Try to get as close to their level as you can. Bring meal worms and share generously. If you continue to repeat this, over time your whole flock will run all over you when they see you thinking you're the fun person! At the same time, they will still go broody and you can watch mama's raise baby! If you want one of the ducklings to be inside, incubate and hatch it. Talk to it the whole time it's hatching. Let live inside for just a few days while it learns you and then try releasing to the flock. Just remember to introduce it to the flock and make sure they're all cool with the little addition. That will get one duckling to be okay with you and hopefully the meal worms + the one duck will convince the others everything is great with people! Good luck!

 

[Wild Duck]

I have a good relationship with my flock and they eat out of my hands and peck my boots, but they do not like being held or care for me when I’m not coming from the shed (where I keep there food). I assume the adults will introduce that level of comfort to the ducklings raised by them but I’d like to have a bond more like that of a pet. I’m just not sure if I imprint too much on one duckling the rest of the flock will like the coming and going of this human behaving duck.

 

[Kkrista123]

I have a good relationship with my flock and they eat out of my hands and peck my boots, but they do not like being held or care for me when I’m not coming from the shed (where I keep there food). I assume the adults will introduce that level of comfort to the ducklings raised by them but I’d like to have a bond more like that of a pet. I’m just not sure if I imprint too much on one duckling the rest of the flock will like the coming and going of this human behaving duck.

Hmmm. I'd try getting them to eat out of your hands while you're sitting on the ground and slowly getting them to stand on your legs while you keep feeding them. The more you can get them into your lap, the sooner you'll be able to stand up with them in your arms and calm them. The flock might not appreciate a duck coming and going but that really depends on your flock. I've heard of it working for people but at the same time I could understand why it wouldn't work for other flocks. You'd have to try it at first and see if they're ok when the duck returns. If so they will be probably every time, if it was a rough transition, might be better to leave flock together. Trial and error but everything is possible.

 

[Kkrista123]

@Jpat any experience with a duck that you bring inside from time to time for a couple of days at a time and then return to the flock?

 

[Jpat]

ive only had about 8 ducklings grow up here and others i got as adults

Its clear that being around humans from an early age impacts their bond greatly

Then mixing with ducks from big farms that had little to no human contact makes them retract alot

My appleyard was a darling he cried whenever i was out of sight. Now he sees me coming and runs from the hugs and HATES being picked up. But i can set any of them down and they tolerate my company wherever they are.

He wasnt any happier with just me or with ducks as company as far as i could tell. Obviosly more natual with other ducks


As far as taking them in and out ive taken wet ducks are cold ducks in for the night or even a few days and it just makes everyone sooo happy to see each other its so cute



My kahki came from a poopy farm and was very wild. Shes my favorite shes always clean and happy and healthy. Just so thin so i take her in to warm up, She squirms and bites but then sits for 15 minuts or so then starts honking to go bad out

 

[Kkrista123]

So returning the duck you imprint to your flock over time will probably revert the one duck to the rest of the flocks normal. I know it has worked before though so it's worth a try to see if your duck stays attached!

 

[DuckyDonna]

ive only had about 8 ducklings grow up here and others i got as adults

Its clear that being around humans from an early age impacts their bond greatly

Then mixing with ducks from big farms that had little to no human contact makes them retract alot

My appleyard was a darling he cried whenever i was out of sight. Now he sees me coming and runs from the hugs and HATES being picked up. But i can set any of them down and they tolerate my company wherever they are.

He wasnt any happier with just me or with ducks as company as far as i could tell. Obviosly more natual with other ducks


As far as taking them in and out ive taken wet ducks are cold ducks in for the night or even a few days and it just makes everyone sooo happy to see each other its so cute



My kahki came from a poopy farm and was very wild. Shes my favorite shes always clean and happy and healthy. Just so thin so i take her in to warm up, She squirms and bites but then sits for 15 minuts or so then starts honking to go bad out

I LOVE those pictures of her by the wood stove! She looks like one of those duck statues or whatever you call them. Mannequins? Fake ducks made of wood, you get the idea!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Hey all, happy Sunday. I’m out with the ducks right now, enjoying my pipe and letting my mind wander, and I started having pleasant thoughts of spring. Of course, like all of my thoughts of the future, they might not be all realistic or practical. But hey, that’s why I have you guys to crush my dreams.

So I’m one of those people who wishes he handled his ducks more as ducklings. That being said, spring brings a world opportunity and at least for me, another chance. BUT OF COURSE, I also want to enjoy the experience of having a duck go broody and seeing mama duck raise her ducklings. And I’m sure that’s gonna work in the opposite direction of my goal, but it will be adorable, right? That being said, I’m willing to settle on getting at least just one duckling this spring to love me.

Now, I spend a lot of time with my ducks, but I don’t have enough time to imprint on a single duck and be it’s only friend. But I got to wondering if I took a duckling at day one, or maybe even incubate an egg same day hen goes broody, and spent a lot of one on one time with it. I work two days on and two days off and it’d be nice to have that single duck pet, get some duck diapers let it inside for two days deal, then when its time to work put it back with the flock. I know this might not be as easy as Im dreaming or even possible but I’m wondering if anyones ever done this before? Any help and knowledge is always greatly appreciated!

Another quick question, both my drakes are white layers from metzer farms. My hens are golden 300s, buff orpington, and mallard. I’m wondering if anyone has any insight on how that white will play into feather color (hopefully not all white ducklings). Thanks!

I'm having similar dreams about watching my chickens raise babies. I posted a very similar thread earlier this morning - LOL! You are not alone!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/adding-hypothetical-chickens-to-my-actual-flock.1285839/

I also wish I'd handled my chicks more. My girls are friendly, but not lap chickens. I didn't think that's what I wanted, but I am a little envious when I read others' stories....

I can't offer advice about your ducks, but I hope you get your pet duck come spring!

Happy dreaming!

 

[Wild Duck]

@Jpat Have you had a duck that was constantly going from pet to flock member life though? I think I can make the duck okay with it if I start from duckling. Lone ducklings are quick to bond to any living thing not loud and obnoxious. But my mallard which I hope to get broody and be mama was not happy when I integrated my 3 new hens even though they were coming for sexual relief! So I know the other ducklings this spring will be fine with coming and going, she might not. But if I can manage that you guys have me believing its all totally possible, which would be awesome!