Ducks won't go to their pool, also terrified of me....

[Silkie2]

Are they Khaki Campbells?

Yes they are

Try peas!

Edit to add - here's a great thread of treats, things that are good and bad for them
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements.242460/

I have tried peas, I'm not sure if they just like corn because it's a bright color so they can see it...? And peas kinda blend in with the earth. Thank you for the link, I'll check it out

 

[lastco]

I LOVE Campbells. I had my heart set on getting some this year, but ended up sticking with Pekins because they aren't bothered in the least by my loud, energetic children. LOL. Campbells are notoriously timid, but that's just a common trait of the breed, not a rule. I'm sure there are exceptions.

Stick with the treats. Mine favor mealworms. Even some of my shy girls will come around for those.

 

[PeepersMama]

I know Campbell's have a reputation for being on the skittish side, so maybe its a breed thing. I would just be consistent in the way you act/move around them, so they know what to expect. Sitting with them is a great way to become their friends too. Keep it up!

 

[WVduckchick]

I think ducks in general are very un-human-social. Yes, there are exceptions! Lone ducks imprint on humans much more than groups will. I think they just prefer their own kind, instead of humans.

All 3 sets of my ducks tolerate me, but mostly only come around when their feed gets empty. If they get close to me, I know their feeder must be empty! LOL

We recently built a new pen for my Call ducklings, and basically had to corral them into the boat pool. Once they got in, they loved it, but it took a couple of days. Check out the link in my signature line.... what duck wouldn't love it? But I don't get any extra love for it. I'll keep hoping, some day though.

 

[Amiga]

Each duck is different. My KC girl is one of my BFFs. And she was adopted as a young adult.

Yours are still fairly young. I think they may warm up to you, still, but it may require you to spend more time near them. I sat near my ducks for quite some time while they went through the "you are an axe-murderer" stage. I did not approach them, I also squatted down around them, talked, sang, read, just to be near them. They finally relaxed. Could be something else is going on you may not notice. Mine feared black buckets. Anything above their heads was cause for terror.

Are these your first ducks?

 

[lastco]

@Amiga YES! They are so crazy when they're young! I thought adolescent chickens and turkeys were wild at that stage.....and then I got ducks. I have a group of young Pekins that make me feel like the big bad wolf. They run to the fence at feeding time, totally excited to see me, then they act like they're shocked when I walk in with a feed bucket. Mercy! My older ducks (with the exception of my drake) gave me the same drama, so I don't fret too much about it. Ducks grow so fast. This too shall pass.

 

[Snipes]

Do you know anyone who has tame or food-tame ducks you might be able to borrow? I have (inadvertently) lured wild ducks close, even close enough to eat out of my hand, if I have my ducks enthusiastically eating out of my hand or in my lap. Peer pressure or example is intense! Model ducks would also be helpful for demonstrating the magic of watery fun. In the likely case that you can't borrow any models, I would recommend just spending any spare time you have with them, reading a book, singing to them, just being present. They are still young so they may well calm down if they receive persistent expose to you without being eaten.

 

[PeepersMama]

Bringing strange ducks into an existing flock like that could transmit diseases. Especially with wild ducks - I know some of them carry Bird flu. :/
That is really cool though.

 

[chickens really]

Hello.....

Young Ducks go through what I call Gingerbread Man Syndrome ........They act like your a Duck killing Monster....They out grow that stage and calm down...Stop the corn because it actually is fattening to Ducks.....
If you could put up a type of step into the pool with bricks or wood? They will get in....Try catching one and putting it in the pool....Monkey see, Monkey do....
Romain lettuce or Dandelion leaves....Floating is a great treat....

Best wishes.....

 

[Silkie2]

Each duck is different. My KC girl is one of my BFFs. And she was adopted as a young adult.

Yours are still fairly young. I think they may warm up to you, still, but it may require you to spend more time near them. I sat near my ducks for quite some time while they went through the "you are an axe-murderer" stage. I did not approach them, I also squatted down around them, talked, sang, read, just to be near them. They finally relaxed. Could be something else is going on you may not notice. Mine feared black buckets. Anything above their heads was cause for terror.

Are these your first ducks?

lol "axe murder stage" Yes,they are my first ducks. We got KCs because we heard they have a better egg production. We did get them for eggs, but i would of course at least like them to be a little friendly.

Hello.....

Young Ducks go through what I call Gingerbread Man Syndrome ........They act like your a Duck killing Monster....They out grow that stage and calm down...Stop the corn because it actually is fattening to Ducks.....
If you could put up a type of step into the pool with bricks or wood? They will get in....Try catching one and putting it in the pool....Monkey see, Monkey do....
Romain lettuce or Dandelion leaves....Floating is a great treat....

Best wishes.....

ok,
i will try that, thanks!

@Amiga YES! They are so crazy when they're young! I thought adolescent chickens and turkeys were wild at that stage.....and then I got ducks. I have a group of young Pekins that make me feel like the big bad wolf. They run to the fence at feeding time, totally excited to see me, then they act like they're shocked when I walk in with a feed bucket. Mercy! My older ducks (with the exception of my drake) gave me the same drama, so I don't fret too much about it. Ducks grow so fast. This too shall pass.

thanks! that gives me some hope