Duckling help (Urgent!)

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Liasse said:
What're you talking about my ducklings are CRAZY. Whenever I approach them they run away and freak out, they also tend to puke on us... It's just a stress thing. They mostly like being left alone. But I also have to hold them so they get used to us humans, they're always in the water tho they dry each other off though :)! The only duck who will let us properly touch us no problem is the one in this post, he actually prefers human company over ducks. But thanks for the advice on the wings. And I agree lol ;)
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Do you know if they are puking when you pick them up or holding them? The reason I ask is because their little bellies are in the front of their chest. And if they are full and you squeeze, they can puke. I’ve done this several times on accident.:gig

Their behavior you are describing is normal. And you are doing just perfect. The more you handle them, the more tame they will be. You are the big scary giant right now. Lol!
 
shawluvsbirds said:
Ducklings do get chilled pretty easily. Do be careful that it's not staying too wet for too long. Their down feathers don't have the oil to make them waterproof yet.. . I know that's easier said than done though They will find any and every way to get themselves wet ;)
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I use Norwex body cloths to dry them. It works well.
 
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Don't provide Bath water all the time and bath them every couple of days..I use these for water containers so they can dip in heads and clean nares and eyes..Scared Ducklings I sit and have my hand in the Brooder. How I hold or pick them up is by the fatter part of the body and never near the crop. Never had a Duck puke before?..
 
Puking? are you talking about when you pick them up water sometimes water mixed with feed comes out of their bill, That usually happens when we smooch their lil crops especially right after they have eaten and drank a lot of water. I've had this happen with mine.
 
Excuse me, but I am confused again (happens a lot). There is a lot of talk about handling the young ducks--one person even said that they HAD to hold them....this is what confuses me. Of course I know that ducklings are the cutest creatures in God's creation. But where does it say that we humans are supposed to handle them? I suppose some hatchlings might imprint fully on a person and let the person pick them up without too much hassle. But every duck I have ever raised (I am up to about 30 or so now) has a huge fear of me getting too close to them. Of course sometimes I need to pick them up (to put them somewhere), but believe me, they hate it.
These are not dogs. So why then, is there this intense need to hold them? Can't they just be left alone--to be happy?
 
gilbert2 said:
Excuse me, but I am confused again (happens a lot). There is a lot of talk about handling the young ducks--one person even said that they HAD to hold them....this is what confuses me. Of course I know that ducklings are the cutest creatures in God's creation. But where does it say that we humans are supposed to handle them? I suppose some hatchlings might imprint fully on a person and let the person pick them up without too much hassle. But every duck I have ever raised (I am up to about 30 or so now) has a huge fear of me getting too close to them. Of course sometimes I need to pick them up (to put them somewhere), but believe me, they hate it.
These are not dogs. So why then, is there this intense need to hold them? Can't they just be left alone--to be happy?
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I handle mine because I don't want them chasing me(I had a duck do that and bite me in the butt and it hurt) I want them to come to me for food and know that good things come from me. I'm pretty sure when they are older picking them up will not be quiet or fun. That's ok, just don't chase or bite me.
 
I think everyone here is at very different levels of education as far as how to care for poultry and their behavior. So it can be confusing when someone who has never had a duck before. And they all fulfill different needs for each person. Not that one is better than another, just different. :D
 
I very seldom get to pick up a duckling since they are raised by their mamas here. I can surely understand wanting to pick them up though they are so adorable and I did get to pick up and snuggle with one when one of my ducks rejected one of her ducklings. But most ducks don't like being picked up and handled there are times when we have to though to check feet and legs if one comes up limping or something else looks off with one. I will slowly walk one of mine inside their house and close the door that way I can pick the duck up to examine. No they aren't happy about it but they get over it real quick too. Drakes are the worlds worse for sneaking up from behind and biting so once a drake gets to be around 4 months old training needs to begin to train him to respect us as the flock leader. It isn't something that happens over night but it can happen with consistency.

Duckling have to be picked up a lot more than adults because your usually keeping them in a brooder that hasn't a door that you can open so they can walk out to go outside to go into the bath tub etc. So it's something we really can't avoid. And it does help them to get use to some human handling which is going to be inevitable in their lives whether ducklings or adults.
 

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