Ducks terrified of everything?

[thumper650]

Maybe try putting their feeder on the ground .. Since it is probably moving a little with the wind or when they eat from it. . It may be freaking them out on top of the rope thing that happened. . now they just think it is a dangerous thing

Just read this, I use those rubber bowls from Tractor Supply. I bought them a bird toy, but anything that hangs and swings scared them, and they're not jumpy birds. Now I use the toy to keep them from pecking at the garage wall.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I hung a battery powered lantern in my duck house for when I need to check on things at night. . that evening when I herded them in for the night they immediately turned on their heels and came screaming back out like the place was on fire! And mine are little call ducks. .my house is one I can walk in to. I never even thought they would notice it that high up lol.

 

[Patrick McKee]

Just read this, I use those rubber bowls from Tractor Supply. I bought them a bird toy, but anything that hangs and swings scared them, and they're not jumpy birds. Now I use the toy to keep them from pecking at the garage wall.

Ducks don't have hands, they can't reach out and steady a moving object, in their eyes it is alive, or something...

 

[cottontail farm]

Yeah.. ducks can be a little trying on the soul. Yours are young (so extra high strung) and female (extra loud). They eventually settle down but every duckling I've raised goes through that stage where you kinda want to kill them a little. Lol.
My thoughts are:
Mine have never used a house until they were trained to go in it. They are up all night and enjoy being in the rAin and snow. Being in the house is like a time out. Yours may not be afraid of it so much as uninterested.
Feeder: my first thought when I read hanging feeder was to wonder if they have actually grown too big to be able to eat out of it. Try putting the feed in a couple of bowls around the run and see how that goes. Same with water. My current ducklings were born in March and are too big to eat from one.
Ducklings are very panicky but seem to do MUCH better with an older bird around (Female duck or hen it doesn't matter) to show them how the world works and what is worth panicking over and what isn't. Basically you have a bunch of frightened babies out there. Do you have any older bird you could put on nanny duty?
My other thought is that you have something coming around every night harassing them. Any chance a raccoon or something is messing with them?

 

[Runner duck mom]

The first time I brought out a big slice of watermelon our newest babies ran away terrified and hid in their pool...new water dish=super scary too. Until one is brave enough to come check it out and say it's ok and then they all come back to check it out.
Any changes take a little time to adjust to but then they learn and are no longer afraid. Treats help and I will sit with them to let them know whatever new scary thing is ok. I does help we have an older duck who can also show them around as well.
Time and patience, best of luck with your babies!

 

[Blue Crow]

I made a new feed trough for the girls and had to sit and ignore them and "noddle" around in it until one decided to eat and once one eats its ducky see ducky do.

I've found them to be super hyper aware, I didn't realize how many planes went over head before them; and there were many offended worried quacks the day I wore a different jacket out to feed them in the morning - never mind that they have seen me in it before, morning feeding are red jacket time!

Check out "Animals in Translation" by Dr Temple its a great look at prey animals.

 

[firewalker1]

They seem to be doing a little better now. Put their food on the ground helped. It was just strange to me because they have had the hanging feeder for about 5 weeks before they got afraid. Also had them out of their run (had to physically pick them up and place them outside because they are afraid to go past a certain point in their run) and they seemed to loosen up a bit. Last I got them a watermelon and some gold fish for their make shift pond that they went crazy over.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

It is strange how they can just suddenly become afraid of something like that. . but something must have happened that they associated with the hanging thing and that was that. And they seem to never forget

 

[llombardo]

My pekin is pretty good, the khakis are more skittish. I had them outside and was bringing them in last week and I decided to put the two in the carrier and see what the pekin would do. I called her out of the coop and she actually followed me then started quacking like crazy because she couldn't find the other to. Once they made noise I never saw a duck waddle so fast to get to them, but during the whole time she was loud.

 

[CayugaJana]

It is strange how they can just suddenly become afraid of something like that. . but something must have happened that they associated with the hanging thing and that was that. And they seem to never forget

I agree. One small thing must have happened with the feeder. So now they are all scared of it. Do you sit with them in their run? Just chill and coax them out?