Ducks hurting themselves because they think I am out to KILL them?!?!?

[AdamD77]

I agree about there being a point where they go away from you but not in a stampede. Happens with mine. They have a step down then up to get over and I worry about them hurting themselves so I just herd them to the door then they usually go inside, or i just move slightly forward and they go in

Also, it seems that there are a few things that make ducks skittish or lovable - the amount raised at one time, the age they are bought at and the amount of time you spend with them.

 

[dumb_cluck]

My new Welsh Harlequins kinda did the same thing at first.

I had Mallards previously, so I had a feel for the level of "excitement" and "fear".

When I first got them as babies (day or two old) I talked to them in a very calm voice. Something like "Hi babies! How's my ducks?"
Then I would give a small but distinctive "quack". They would all turn their eye toward me as if to say: "What"?

I would then reply with a very short word.... Gooood! Of course, a treat would be appropriate here also.......

Works for me.

 

[grawg]

Quote:
Whew! At least I'm not the only one to quack at my ducks...

 

[bayyjayy]

You guys are awesome....really, really, amazingly awesome.

This is why: Hubby said something about putting up some sort of rail on the ramps for the time being. Check!
I have started going really, really, reallllly slow, just barely waving my arms. Check!
I have put up a baby gate sort of thing on one side of the ramp furthest from the duck house so they can't run past. Check!


Last night and this morning they did realllllly well. One fell off the side, but just from losing balance, not from fear.


Me happy? Check!