Ducks too attached

[Duckmomica]

Hello so I have two pekin ducks and I love them a lot but I’m afraid they’ve become a bit too attached to me. Every time I leave them by themselves even for 2 seconds, they scream their heads off. I have been trying to get them used to their coop for weeks but I can’t keep them in there overnight because they scream so loud. It is not medical and they have everything they need. Help please

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

my oldest are almost two and still quack whenever i leave them, imprinted ducks really don’t ever grow out of it. mine sleep indoors at night which helps

 

[ajohn151]

You may just have to put in ear plugs and endure it for a bit. I know its not easy but they aren't hurt or hungry. They will settle down after a while. Once they realize that's just how it is they will be better. Good luck!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

You have to let them yell it out overnight by themselves if you want them to become less attached. Even when ducklings imprint on their mothers once they reach a certain age they have to go find a new flock/mate. Think of them like toddlers who know you'll walk back in the room everytime they throw a fit. The longer you encourage the behavior by giving them what they want the longer it will continue. Will it be rough for a bit and take time? Yes, but it's one of those things where if you want to keep catering to it you can or you can just stick it out and let them cry it out. It won't "hurt" them either way it's really just what is the lesser of two evils for you to decide.

 

[Duckmomica]

You have to let them yell it out overnight by themselves if you want them to become less attached. Even when ducklings imprint on their mothers once they reach a certain age they have to go find a new flock/mate. Think of them like toddlers who know you'll walk back in the room everytime they throw a fit. The longer you encourage the behavior by giving them what they want the longer it will continue. Will it be rough for a bit and take time? Yes, but it's one of those things where if you want to keep catering to it you can or you can just stick it out and let them cry it out. It won't "hurt" them either way it's really just what is the lesser of two evils for you to decide.

The reason I can’t let them scream outside is because I have neighbors that would get annoyed. I let them cry in my room though.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Make the coop dark....

 

[LT71689]

Mine were similar. Literally the only time they made any noise at all was to ask for attention (they'd chatter at me when they knew I was awake but hadnt let them out of the pen yet in the morning and yell for me after I penned them up at night and they werent ready to be left alone yet)

I'd sit with them for a few minutes after locking them in at night and let them chew on my fingers through the pen and talk to me as much as they wanted and in a couple minutes they'd move on to eating and drinking and rooting around in their bedding and I'd carefully sneak away when they decided they werent interested in me anymore.

Unfortunately thats probably harder to do with an outdoor coop. You might just have to pre-emptively apologize to the neighbors and warn them that you're gonna have some rough nights getting them used to it.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Mine were similar. Literally the only time they made any noise at all was to ask for attention (they'd chatter at me when they knew I was awake but hadnt let them out of the pen yet in the morning and yell for me after I penned them up at night and they werent ready to be left alone yet)

I'd sit with them for a few minutes after locking them in at night and let them chew on my fingers through the pen and talk to me as much as they wanted and in a couple minutes they'd move on to eating and drinking and rooting around in their bedding and I'd carefully sneak away when they decided they werent interested in me anymore.

Unfortunately thats probably harder to do with an outdoor coop. You might just have to pre-emptively apologize to the neighbors and warn them that you're gonna have some rough nights getting them used to it.

I agree. I would just walk over to the neighbors and let them know the situation might be a little roudy for a few days. I think most people will understand. I have a neighbor who has the noisiest goat and rooster who together create a non-stop symphony of animal noises all day long. It doesn't bother me one bit because I can just go inside and I can't hear them at all. They even came over to apologise and my response was "No need to worry they're just being animals." Our neighbors looked so relieved after that!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Especially this time of year most have their windows closed because of cooler temps.