Duck Newbie : How to make our ducklings more friendly?

[Mudstar4ever]

Hi all,

We picked up these three buggers 2 days ago (they're 4 days old now). I'm still trying to figure out what breed they are - sometimes I'm convinced they're Black Runners, other times I think they might be Cayugas. They're so darn cute - we've got them in a garage on a bunch of towels under a heat lamp where they pig out and drink a ton all day and then after work we'll sit in an enclosure with them on the lawn and let them go to town on the bugs and play on a trash can lid of water.

So far, I think they're doing really well! I feed them Mannapro Chick & Duck starter (non-medicated) and they really loved mashed bananas (in moderation of course). The only trouble is - they're TERRIFIED of us!! I would rather they be imprinted on each other than us, but if we go anywhere near us, they sprint away and huddle in a corner as though we're about to kill them! I've been working on my laptop and phone from the garage just so they can get accustomed to my voice / presence, but they're still terrified when I tried to pet them.

Any advice? They don't need to follow us around or anything, we just want them to know us and trust that we're not a threat. Know it's important to do it early, but they're not even close to being held and petted. Anybody have any advice for how to build trust / any other tips for a first-time duckling raiser?

Thanks!! Some pics below for anyone interested.

 

[Miss Lydia]

They sure are adorable! Honestly ducklings/ duck aren’t that crazy about being petted or held. When I have youngins we usually just sit on the floor with them and let them come to us they will usually come and lay by us. Then once you have them doing that ( no petting or reaching for them) I’ll take some mealworms I’ve kind of smooched so they aren’t so long for little ones to eat and toss a few out for them doesn’t take them long to find them in my hand and eat out of it. A few of my Runners and 1 of my Muscovys I can pick up an cuddle but the other 13 even though some will eat out of my hand do not want me to pick them up or pet them. If you do have to pick one up hold them in a cup like position so the feel secure and up close to you. Usually if I do that like when taking them out of the brooder to clean it or to Go for bath or outside they don’t seem to freak out as much. Can you imaging how big we look to them. Just like a predator. And all we want to do is cuddle.

 

[Mudstar4ever]

Haha very true! They're running for their lives and all I can think is "LET ME LOVE YOU."

 

[DuckyDonna]

They are so cute! If they all stand upright like that one in the first picture I'd say runners. They're dark so they could be chocolate or black. Can't tell from those pictures. Can you take some better pictures of them?

Like @Miss Lydia said, they probably won't ever want to be held. I'm thinking more and more that the one duck I had that liked to sit on my lap was a fluke! I have one runner now that will tolerate me picking her up for a few minutes but she'd rather I didn't.

Just enjoy watching their little antics and as they grow the more entertaining they get.

 

[Mudstar4ever]

Totally agree! I just love to watch them - don't necessarily need to hold them. Just want them to feel safe around us and know we're just there to love them! We also have a fourth "little brother" in the incubator who may like us better - due in 17 days, so we'll see!

 

[Haydog03]

I’ve only ever had a few ducks want to be held/touched while the rest only tolerate it. My advice is patience. My family force-held the ducks and now the ducks still won’t get around them. Me? They sit by me, crawl over my foot, and will sometimes actively search for me as if I was missing. Really sweet but it took nearly a year to get there. All ducks are different, though. Some took months, some took a year, some almost immediately. What worked for me was not trying to force anything, just respect them as if they were human and they’ll slowly learn to trust you. Good luck with them, they are adorable!!

 

[DuckyDonna]

Totally agree! I just love to watch them - don't necessarily need to hold them. Just want them to feel safe around us and know we're just there to love them! We also have a fourth "little brother" in the incubator who may like us better - due in 17 days, so we'll see!

Treats, that's how you do it. Mealworms, tomatoes, watermelon! Mine are grown now and my house is a good ways from the barn where they are but as I'm walking toward their run I'll yell out "TREATS" and they all get up from their naps, stop digging in the mud or whatever they were doing and run to the gate. Then they love me!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I’ve only ever had a few ducks want to be held/touched while the rest only tolerate it. My advice is patience. My family force-held the ducks and now the ducks still won’t get around them. Me? They sit by me, crawl over my foot, and will sometimes actively search for me as if I was missing. Really sweet but it took nearly a year to get there. All ducks are different, though. Some took months, some took a year, some almost immediately. What worked for me was not trying to force anything, just respect them as if they were human and they’ll slowly learn to trust you. Good luck with them, they are adorable!!

 

[Mudstar4ever]

Love it!! Okay, this is super encouraging. Thanks, all!

While new to ducklings, I did save and hatch an abandoned goose egg when I was a child after its mother was killed. That thing was so imprinted on me, it followed me around and screamed if I wasn't within 3 feet of him. I felt terrible because we couldn't keep him (he was a federally protected breed) and he was so upset when we parted.

Now I'm on the other end of the spectrum - just looking for a happy medium! LOL

 

[Mudstar4ever]

They LOVE mashed banana! They're starting to recognize it when I set the separate yellow dish down. It's so cute! They go "bananas" for it! (Couldn't resist)