Duck Friendliness

[HayleyCrum]

It makes me so upset almost just wants to bring me to tears and get rid of them because of how unfriendly and skiddish my ducks are. All they do is eat out of your hand. if your around they wont go out of there cage. i dont even think they would if i wasnt. its almost like there dumb and cant find the door. i just dont get it. they WILL NOT leave there cage unless i get in there with them and nudge them out. i dont get it am i doing something wrong. i tried weaning them out the door with treats immediately no.

 

[-Isla June-]

Do you have predators surrounding the area? What I’d the surrounding area like? Make sure they know you love them, try holding them if you can. This happens with some chickens so dont be too worried! There’s not much you can do since animals can’t talk!! They may not feel safe leaving the coop. You could try extending a run outside of the coop that they can run into and enjoy the grass in. They may feel more protected as they are surrounded by a fence. Make sure the outside area is something a duck would enjoy. You could make a run with something for it to perch or lay on, a pecking block, or something they would enjoy!

 

[Isadora]

It makes me so upset almost just wants to bring me to tears and get rid of them because of how unfriendly and skiddish my ducks are. All they do is eat out of your hand. if your around they wont go out of there cage. i dont even think they would if i wasnt. its almost like there dumb and cant find the door. i just dont get it. they WILL NOT leave there cage unless i get in there with them and nudge them out. i dont get it am i doing something wrong. i tried weaning them out the door with treats immediately no. View attachment 3131286View attachment 3131287View attachment 3131288View attachment 3131289View attachment 3131288

Look on the bright side, a lot of people have ducks that won't eat out of their hands! None of my runners will even come close enough to me to do that.
How long have they been in this setup?

 

[JedJackson]

Ducks aren't naturally friendly with humans. The fact that they will eat out of your hands means yours are better than most. The best way to make them friendlier is to spend time with them so they will learn to trust you.

Now, as for not leaving their pen, I think it is because there is no cover in the area where they are kept. Ducks are a prey species and they know when they are vulnerable. They are unlikely to walk out into the middle of an open field where they can be snatched by hawks. They need cover to hide if they need to.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

You want to get rid of them because they’re “unfriendly” & skittish? That seems like an unfair expectation for a backyard prey animal......

 

[HayleyCrum]

Look on the bright side, a lot of people have ducks that won't eat out of their hands! None of my runners will even come close enough to me to do that.
How long have they been in this setup?

um they have probably been here for about a month, i am working in extending to make it bigger

 

[HayleyCrum]

Do you have predators surrounding the area? What I’d the surrounding area like? Make sure they know you love them, try holding them if you can. This happens with some chickens so dont be too worried! There’s not much you can do since animals can’t talk!! They may not feel safe leaving the coop. You could try extending a run outside of the coop that they can run into and enjoy the grass in. They may feel more protected as they are surrounded by a fence. Make sure the outside area is something a duck would enjoy. You could make a run with something for it to perch or lay on, a pecking block, or something they would enjoy!

i am normally out with them the entire time there out because i am so scared of something getting them, its a big open area with tons of worms good grass and a little pool for them, once im able to get them out of there cage there in heaven!! im working on adding a bigger area for them but its just myself working on it so its hard to get to it sometimes. i attached a picture of the add on im doing and the area there in.

 

[HayleyCrum]

Ducks aren't naturally friendly with humans. The fact that they will eat out of your hands means yours are better than most. The best way to make them friendlier is to spend time with them so they will learn to trust you.

Now, as for not leaving their pen, I think it is because there is no cover in the area where they are kept. Ducks are a prey species and they know when they are vulnerable. They are unlikely to walk out into the middle of an open field where they can be snatched by hawks. They need cover to hide if they need to.

i stay out there woth them and in the area because im worried of something getting them, what do you recommend i do, it has a roof over the house but not like a full wall by wall area?

 

[JedJackson]

If you have a cold winter climate they will need an enclosed space for winter. That is a must. The coop is nice but they can't get up inside of it. So either lower it or buy or build a structure they can go inside of when they want.

For the run and the field, I recommend putting stuff out there they can hide behind. Bushes, branches, rocks, tarp tents, old dog houses, whatever you can get your hands on. Or move the coop where that stuff is already present.

Your ducks are very cute! I had some years ago, and they weren't that friendly, either, but I would sit out with them and slowly they got used to me being there and were less skittish. So I recommend patience. And if you decide ducks aren't your thing, there is no shame in that, either. But give it a little time and see.

If you have a kiddie pool, swimming always puts them in a great mood, so that's an idea, too. Best of luck!

 

[HayleyCrum]

we do have colder winters here, im building an additional area for them to the side of my house i out a picture in this thread, should i just out a roof on it and then in the winter wrap it in a tarp or shoud i just go ahead and spend the extra money and put a warm area in it now?