Duck training question?

[nao57]

OK, so I hope I don't make anyone upset with this question. I'm sorry ahead of time if that happens.

But I was thinking about how to 'try' to train ducks last night. And it occurred to me that we don't use techniques to train them that other people are already using with other animals. And so I thought I'd bring this up, and see what you think, and if you think they might work.

With birds of prey, when training them, they cover their head and eyes to train them to accept holding still on the handler.

I've never heard of anyone trying this with ducks. But birds of prey are quite independent creatures. So I wondered if that could work with ducks in trying to get them to be trained to be held?

Also, I wondered if animals that have had more owner interaction during traumas or injuries, and then recovered afterwards were closer to 'the boss' (owner) afterwards? (I am not implying to go injure them to go create this, to be clear.)


Thanks, and curious what you think.

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

Maybe if you just picked them up a lot, they would get used to it?

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I was going to say the same thing. The more you hold/handle them, for any reason, the more they get used to it. My most docile to hold was my meanest drake. Whenever he would chased the other ducks or poked me, I made him sit on my lap, ducky time out. He got so he snuggled during that time. Sadly I finally had to get rid of him when he injured one of my girls.

 

[jaswashburn]

Hey! Try positive reinforcement instead. That’s the way much of the training industry has gone. If you want to train them to accept handling, build your relationship first, with food and treats. Then give the best treats when they’re close to you or after you touch them.

 

[Spiase20]

Positive reinforcement works the best with them.

Snacks, treats, melon, etc.

Whenever I have to give my ducks medicine or check them out, I try to snuggle/pet them afterwards to re-assure and then give them melon. All the bad is then forgotten, lol.

As for my drake, he was rough with the girls in the beginning. I separated him completely for two days, then for 2 weeks, I divided the cage so he was next to them but not actually with them. During this time, I would let him be with the girls twice a day with my supervision and interrupt whenever he started pecking or pulling at their feathers. I would hold his Beak and look in his eyes while making a sound. In time, I just had to make the sound and he would stop and look at me.

After those two weeks? I was the alpha, he was gentle with the girls and is the best boyfriend they could have. He protects them now.

And with me? He loooooves me, snuggles all the time. His lap time-out became his comfort spot.

They are smarter than people give them credit for. They know when food time is, they easily learn daily routines, etc. It's just patience, consistency, love and snacks.

Snuggle example: