Flighty Ducks

[JenniferDuBay]

Three weeks ago I got a flock of three month old runner ducks, and while yes, I know they're flighty birds, this is a bit ridiculous. They literally won't leave their coop while I'm in the yard. It's a half acre yard! If I have to get in the coop, they try to claw each other to death in a corner to get away from me. If there's an out, they'll run to the edge of their yard and huddle. Everywhere I read you're supposed to feed them peas and such to make them friendly, but they're more concerned with *certain death from evil human* than food. This can't be healthy for them. I never expected pets out of these ducks, just eggs and to not destroy my garden, but if I can't even feed and water them without inciting a panic, will they ever lay eggs?

 

[Miss Lydia]

My Runners who were hatched here 2.5 yrs ago still will run totally other way from me . They still most of the Time will not walk or run by me. But if I sit out on a low stool with them they will gather close and eat meal worms or dog food off the ground with me sitting there. 3 weeks is too short of a time for them to feel comfortable in their new home. So best thing to do is move slow around them talk softly and when weather permits sit out with them just reading or being there. They will eventually begin to settle in and down but they sure aren’t like my Muscovys who are very laid back and easy around me. But I wouldn’t trade my Runners for anything.

 

[chickens really]

Time is all they need. Definitely ignoring them will help and just provide the necessary feed and water. Don't make eye contact and be very patient. They will figure out your not a threat. Sit outside the Run and talk to them. Soon enough they will calm..

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Runners are more skiddish than other ducks. It's in their nature, they were bred to be herded into a rice-field in the morning, being out there the whole day and being herded back home in the evening. Only fearful ducks survived the day in the field…
I had the same problem with my Runner ducklings last year. We bought them at the local farm supply store when they were already 2-3 weeks old as the "left-overs" from a previous batch and were never handled properly. Whenever i had to do something around their little house the were piling up in the farthest corner and yelling "bloody murder!", had i something to do inside their house they were yelling "murder death crime" on top of their little lungs. It took more than a month before they started trusting me a little bit.
As @Miss Lydia wrote, you need to be calm around them, talk softly, just sit with them and observe each other. Bring them some treats (peas, mealworms, tomato, lettuce, kale, ...) every time and leave them in their house so that they associate you with something positive
Today my Duckies are still skiddish, i can't touch any of them, except Limpy, who was sick last year and had to be handled a lot. But whenever they see us outside, they all come running, asking for some treats and stay around us.
Your ducks very likely will never be lap-ducks, but things will improve, just be patient and calm. Good luck!

 

[thumper650]

My runners were freaks too when I got them. When I would corner them they would keep smashing themselves into the fence to get away. It was really sad. Mealworms and time is what it takes. Be careful of changing your appearance too much, my guys freaked out when I approached a few days ago. I figured out it was that I had my hood on my sweatshirt up, as it was raining. Hood went off, and I got some angry quacks.

 

[JenniferDuBay]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom

You are very welcome!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I hope you can enjoy your Runners. They do bring a lot of enjoyment they are funny and do everything together even freaking out . I enjoy them so much.

 

[JenniferDuBay]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, I have enjoyed my runner ducks, who, have never actually settled down. Y'all were right. They're no pets, but at least they're not trying to kill themselves every time I go in the coop. I've also just finished a hatch of their eggs, so more ducks are on the way, thanks for all the help.

 

[thumper650]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, I have enjoyed my runner ducks, who, have never actually settled down. Y'all were right. They're no pets, but at least they're not trying to kill themselves every time I go in the coop. I've also just finished a hatch of their eggs, so more ducks are on the way, thanks for all the help.

Spend lots of time with your ducklings, maybe they'll be more friendly.