Duck travel

[Lemonade]

I have been wanting to get my duck out of the backyard for a while now, whether that is for a trip to a nearby creek or just walking/exploring the neighborhood. (She is almost 5 months old and we hatched her.) We bought a harness/leash for her, and it fit fine, but I could tell that she hated it. Today, I tried to put it on her again, but she would not stay still and clearly remembered how much she didn’t like it. Another option I have is a wagon that isn’t too high off the ground (one foot high at most). I placed her favorite snacks in it but she still refused to stay and immediately jumped out.

How can I get her to trust either one of these options, or would another method of travel (like a backpack) work better?

 

[CoriM]

I think what you're proposing is something that sounds fun to you but not to a duck. Ducks thrive on routine and understanding their environment. They're easily scared by new things or experiences.The other trouble with bringing her out of her safe yard is you could encounter a dog or animal that might hurt her, and if she's walking you have to be really concerned about the surface she's walking on. Grass is about the only thing that would be safe and protect her feet, and remember, she's just a duck so she can't really go that far - though if you're her only family she would be desperate not to lose you, so would follow you a long time, but to make her go far would be cruel. Probably the best thing you could do for your duck is provide interesting duck experiences in her own yard - a wading pool of fresh water is the biggest treat you can give a duck! Plus treats of food - peas, meal worms, chopped up kale - these things are exciting for a duck and will make her very happy and also she'll always love to see you coming.

 

[Roosterinthecity]

You mean like the Pokémon backpack pet carrier?
Sounds fun, but a backpack would be too…..small, constraining.
Wagon sounds good, but how do you keep the duck from jumping out…flying?
The harness…I saw those on Amazon…lol. Sounds like the best idea. Maybe by doing it repetitively the duck will get use to it.
Maybe it’s best to just leave the duck alone?
lol…either way, sounds like an experiment.

 

[fatty and friends]

dog strollers are the BEST for taking ducks places! mine get so excited when they see their stroller. we also use bins (without lids) when they come in the car, they love looking out the window!

 

[Lemonade]

I think what you're proposing is something that sounds fun to you but not to a duck. Ducks thrive on routine and understanding their environment. They're easily scared by new things or experiences.The other trouble with bringing her out of her safe yard is you could encounter a dog or animal that might hurt her, and if she's walking you have to be really concerned about the surface she's walking on. Grass is about the only thing that would be safe and protect her feet, and remember, she's just a duck so she can't really go that far - though if you're her only family she would be desperate not to lose you, so would follow you a long time, but to make her go far would be cruel. Probably the best thing you could do for your duck is provide interesting duck experiences in her own yard - a wading pool of fresh water is the biggest treat you can give a duck! Plus treats of food - peas, meal worms, chopped up kale - these things are exciting for a duck and will make her very happy and also she'll always love to see you coming.

Thank you for the advice! I do notice that she never strays too far from her house, which is why I was wondering if there was a way to get her to explore new places. I’m trying not to force her to do these things, as she did get pretty stressed out. As for the dogs, I read that the leash was good for protecting the ducks and the wagon was also so that she wouldn’t have to walk too far and hurt her feet. But like I said, I don’t want to stress her out too much.

 

[Lemonade]

dog strollers are the BEST for taking ducks places! mine get so excited when they see their stroller. we also use bins (without lids) when they come in the car, they love looking out the window!

Do the strollers have some kind of cover so that they don’t fly/jump out? Also is this something that you started with them when they were young or did they just naturally get used to travel over time? I’m thinking that my duck probably doesn’t like these new things because I didn’t introduce them to her earlier.

 

[Aunt Angus]

There is someone on BYC who takes their ducks on walks - just walking. No leashes or anything. Was it @Weeg? Or @Quatie? I can't remember who.

 

[fatty and friends]

Do the strollers have some kind of cover so that they don’t fly/jump out? Also is this something that you started with them when they were young or did they just naturally get used to travel over time? I’m thinking that my duck probably doesn’t like these new things because I didn’t introduce them to her earlier.

we started short walks around the neighborhood when they were a few days old, almost 4 years later and now they are fine with going anywhere (ever met a duck that likes to go shopping? mine do)

the stroller has a part that you can zip up if needed but i just leave it unzipped for mine

 

[CoriM]

Do you have more than just the one duck? If not, consider finding a couple of female friends for her. This is probably what will be the best for her - ducks are flock animals, and humans just can't fill all of their needs for companionship. This will keep her happy and feeling content, and if you continue to bring treats, love, food, and everything else ducks need she will love you!

 

[Lemonade]

Do you have more than just the one duck? If not, consider finding a couple of female friends for her. This is probably what will be the best for her - ducks are flock animals, and humans just can't fill all of their needs for companionship. This will keep her happy and feeling content, and if you continue to bring treats, love, food, and everything else ducks need she will love you!

Yes we do have another duck who is not as adventurous as this one. And we give them veggies from our garden or mealworms as treats!