Ducks hate me

[ihavechicks]

My baby ducks hate me. I have had them for 2 weeks now. I have to move them out of the brooder box twice a day so I can clean it and they act like I am going to strangle them. They freak out and run or all stand in a corner trying to get away. I try to move slowly when I'm reaching for them. You would think they would be used to me by now. What am I doing wrong? Please help!

 

[Kimarie411]

Honestly mine wanted nothing to do with me until they reached adulthood. Now I can't keep my drake outside. He wants to come inside and hang out. My female still keeps her distance

 

[TLWR]

They are approaching the age of "you are evil." They come around again after a while.
But they are itty bity and you are not. So reaching in, regardless of how slow, is going to freak them out.

Start bribing them with peas. Reach in with peas. Pick them up, give them peas. I don't think it is going to make them jump in your hand, but they may be a little bit less freaked out by it.

 

[ihavechicks]

Thanks for the input. I am going to get some peas tonight. I just hate that it stresses them out so much.

 

[Kimarie411]

Peas work wonders

 

[Finny]

I find spending a lot of time around my ducklings make them like me more with the help of dried mealworms. By talking to them and spending time with them they realize that you are not a threat and they may start to view you as a mother figure that takes care of them. They will follow you around too

 

[BarnChickyOO]

I've now had my Pekins for 1 week. I got them when they were 2 weeks old, and they hated me too!

No, they all run for my hand when I reach it in the box, because they are looking for food! I feed them bread out of my hand and they LOVE it (before feeding ducklings always make sure that they've had water).

Also, I know this will sound mean, but let them get hungry. Then reach your hand into their box with some feed, so that they will basically have no choice to come and eat, and then they may come to associate you with food and satisfaction.

Try to feed them out of your hand when you pick them up, too. Don't just pick them up and move them every time, because then they might associate you with just being displaced.

I basically asked this same question a week ago, lol!

I'm sure they will be fine. Good luck!

 

[nikeballer77]

I thought you aren't supposed to feed them bread

 

[duckfanatic01]

Yeah bread is really bad for ducks. It's bad for their bone tissues, liver, digestive system, etc. Just don't go there.

 

[nikeballer77]

Yea @BarnChickyOO don't go there!