Duck Mafia

[Ardizzone7]

I have 6 ducks of various breeds that we bought at Rural King last year. They are a lot of fun to watch but they won't let you get any closer than a few feet. They move all day as one unit. We call them the duck mafia. Is this normal? There are 3 male and 3 female. Our last ducks had no problem with us. They thought they were chickens so they learned to let us get close like we do with the chickens. Just curious ....0

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have 6 ducks of various breeds that we bought at Rural King last year. They are a lot of fun to watch but they won't let you get any closer than a few feet. They move all day as one unit. We call them the duck mafia. Is this normal? There are 3 male and 3 female. Our last ducks had no problem with us. They thought they were chickens so they learned to let us get close like we do with the chickens. Just curious ....0

The best way to make friends with ducks is to spend quite time with them and bring lots of treats, Not that easy to do in the winter but treats can be dried meal worms, thawed peas, corn [in moderation] .I find just being outside makes them curious enough to come around . and yes moving as one and being aloof is normal for ducks. My ducks also like shredded romaine lettuce. If you go to the top of the duck thread and click on the sticky i believe there is a list of treats that are safe and healthy for ducks and hopefully the mafia will begin to want to spend time with you all.

 

[ducksinarow]

I got my 5 ducks from Rural King. Mine are cambells and they all move as a unit also. The secret to getting your ducks to come closer to you is defrosted frozen peas. They LOVE them. Cat food will do in a pinch. Also mine come closer to me when they are running around the yard versus in there pen. Good Luck.

 

[redsoxs]

I had the same thing happening with mine. I found patiently hand feeding them treats - grasshoppers or surplus garden stuff - helped tame them down. A could of the mine never did get tame but the rest did. Good duck to you!

 

[Ardizzone7]

Thank you. It is worth a try. Mine free range all the time. Our yard is in the middle of a field that we leave tall grass so they stay contained with the natural barrier. They really are my favorite birds of all.