Duck Questions

[kodiakchicken]

Our little duckies are doing great. They love each other and are very healthy. We put them in the tub for their first swim last night and they loved it. We laughed so hard!

They are not very close to their humans though. Whenever I try to hold them they peep and squirm and try to get away, even if I hold two of them at once. I know they are as busy as 2 year old kids, but I thought they would be closer to us than the chicks. They don't seem to have imprinted on humans at all. Will this change? Should I just keep handling them often?

Also, they sent me 3 different breeds straight run. I am praying I don't end up with 3 drakes, because I really wanted some duck eggs and maybe babies. If I end up with 2 drakes and 1 hen, will I need to get rid of one of the drakes or get another hen or two? I am worried about the drakes fighting over the hen or overbreeding her and killing her.

I ordered duck raising books but they still aren't here so you all are me best resource!!!

 

[blueskylen]

hI,
Our 2 ducks are 4 weeks old, and were the same as you say - from day one - did not want to be touched at all. I did try to pet them and pick them up every day, but still they were as afraid as ever. The last week tho, I have been giving them earthworms from my hands, and they have been warming up to me. If I get my hand down low and move it toward them slowly - i can pet them on their chests and just yesterday the peking duck let me pet her back for a few strokes - the Khaki is not so tame, but better too. slow but sure progress! I would like to get them tame enough to let them out on the pond when they get their feathers, but still be able to get them back into their pen at night.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id6.html

Go there. It tells you about imprinting.

 

[Henrietta23]

Same story here. Ducks not as friendly as chicks. Now that we've moved them outside they have calmed down some and coming running to the side of the pen when someone goes outside. And we don't really feed them many treats. They just seem to like to see someone. They are getting really pretty and I'm enjoying them even if they don't want to be held. Can't wait to find out what gender they are. One peeps still and one has been quacking for a while. Their tails look exactly the same. They are almost 7 week old Blue Swedish.

 

[DuckyBoys]

I have even noticed that ducks are not as friendly as geese either. My geese - American buffs are all over me when I walk up - they can't get enough attention. Now, they don't like it when I rake the pen and thy run and scream for a few seconds...LOL...but they get over things MUCH quicker than the ducks.

My new baby dewlap toulouse are even friendlier than the buffs. They don't seem to know how to over-react.

 

[kodiakchicken]

Thanks all. Sounds like they are just behaving like ducks!

As long as they aren't mean and don't run from us I think we'll be fine. They're going to get a lot of handling between now and when they go outside, so I'm sure they'll soften up a little. Especially when the realize we have the food and it just doesn't majicallly appear in their bowl!!!