BelovedBirds
Crossing the Road
I agree with Ruthhope, I wouldnt be free ranging them yet.HELP!! I have 8 mallard ducklings. They’re around 6 weeks old and I can't get them to warm up to me at all. I’ve had them since they were day olds. I don't know what to do. They panic in terror at the sight of me when I try to give them food and water. They lived in the house for 2 weeks. Now they are outside in a coop we built. I tried feeding them meal worms and letting them swim in a kiddie pool and all they did was panic and make I huge wet mess. I would take them out of the pool and put them all in the tote with a heat lamp to dry (I use it to carry them back and forth). When I carry them around they panic and scream so loud as if I’m abusing them. They are now getting to the age when I let them free range during the day and lock them up at night. When I let them out to “have fun” swimming in the pond and free ranging like ducks are supposed to, they are scared of water. They hide in the woods huddle up and scream. It is nearly impossible to lock them back up because they are terrified of my shadow. I will never be able to let them out at of the coop all until things change. I have done everything I can think of. I get so stressed because I do some much for them and I love them so much and I feel like they hate me. It’s heartbreaking that they’re so scared of the one person that’s working and keeping them alive. Any ideas on what to do or am I just stuck with ducks that are terrified of me? It upsets me so much that I’m almost to the point where just I want to release them with my older ducks in hopes that a female will adopt them and teach them the ways and how to be ducks. I raise ducks every spring and something’s just strange about these ducks. I'll take any advice I can get. I'm feeling hopeless right now. Its hard taking care of something and loving something that’s completely terrified of your shadow. Thanks.
When you started them in water, was the water warm until they were feathered?
How much time do you actually spend around them? Not just popping in to feed and water, but do you sit near them, during the day, just be around them.
They are prey animals, and they are very easily spooked by new things, or by people they dont spend much time with. It takes a lot of time, and patience to earn their trust.
Don't take it personally, it is hard I know, but they don't hate you- and it's possible to earn their trust, they're just afraid