Duckling trust progress

[Jlw0903]

Pair yourself with treats as they become more familiar with you give them a treat after each time you pet them and or pick them up. They will learn good things happen when they tolerate people touching them. I think there's a lot to the personality of the ducks too. I had 6 ducks and they all tolerate me to different levels despite the same amount of time with them as babies. I didn't put the time in I could have but they will come when I whistle and know a few instructions "go home duckies" and "bed time".

 

[Aunt Angus]

That little Cheddar is just the cutest thing will she always be a house duck?

No, but our property is in flux right now. We had a bunch of trees removed 2 weeks ago, and PG&E (our electricity provider) is coming this morning to take out a bunch more. I want to separate my ducks from my chickens, and it seems most prudent to wait until I move them all to introduce her to the big girls.

But I do love having her around! So does my hubby. We're hoping she won't abandon us entirely when she joins the flock so she can come visit us in the house. And we are installing a garden pond in the front yard that should be just the right size for one little Cheddar duck.

 

[Miss Lydia]

She's, not the least bit spoiled I can tell. I had to bring in my silver-laced Wyandotte because of bumble she was inside 2 weeks and the other day my hubby said I sure do miss our hen being in lol

 

[ruthhope]

No, but our property is in flux right now. We had a bunch of trees removed 2 weeks ago, and PG&E (our electricity provider) is coming this morning to take out a bunch more. I want to separate my ducks from my chickens, and it seems most prudent to wait until I move them all to introduce her to the big girls.

But I do love having her around! So does my hubby. We're hoping she won't abandon us entirely when she joins the flock so she can come visit us in the house. And we are installing a garden pond in the front yard that should be just the right size for one little Cheddar duck.

I have a muscovy I hand raised from 2 maybe 3 days old. He wasn't imprinted on me but he bonded. At 7 weeks he got some similar sized ducky friends from my local wildlife rehabber -- another muscovy drake, and a pekin drake with a damaged bill. We didn't know the sex of the two muscovy at first. All three were out in the coop from 10 weeks. They remain los tres amigos but the one I hand raised is much closer to me, demanding cuddles, meeting me at the side gate, and sneaking in the house if he finds a door cracked. There are now more pekin drakes in the flock, and I can handle and pet all but the latest addition. But my original hand raised is the only one that demands attention.

Although as others have written, drakes can be more relaxed about people, I suspect your Cheddar will integrate with the other ducks but still remain close to you. It's different having one who is hand raised and so close, to have a few little fluffies in the brooder who get to know you and may be friendly but then have no need to remain close when they move into the coop.