Friendly by breed?

[sbolerjack]

I have an asst. of ducks that are two weeks old today (from TSC). They are all still skiddish at this point, but I’m noticing that my three yellow ones (which I believe are white and fawn runners) seem to be warming up to me, unlike my rouens that run like crazy. Is this typical of runners? I’m a newbie duck owner.

 

[Quatie]

Any duck breed can be social if you spend enough time with them. Out of my breeds, I have found Saxony and Cayuga. My runners are a bit hit and miss for being social, but overall they are the most skittish. Only one was really social when little. She use to want food pellets out of my hand versus the bowl. Only lasted to the teenage stage. I also catch two of mine nightly to put in a separate coop with my disabled runner at night. They are very accustomed to being handled at night, but during the day they usually want some space. They still will happily eat treats out of my hand and run over if they think I may have something or will let them out into other parts of the yard.

Yellow ducklings can potentially be a few things. Fawn and white runners if they stand up straight. Buff, Pekin or Saxony. Saxony have subtle markings a lot of people miss, which the buff can potentially have too. Pekin and fawn and white runners have blue eyes, while the Saxony and buff have brown eyes.

 

[sbolerjack]

Thank you for the info! It’s when they are wanting forage that they become friendly. What you are saying makes complete sense. They are standing up a lot straighter than my others, so we will see.

 

[Quatie]

Thank you for the info! It’s when they are wanting forage that they become friendly. What you are saying makes complete sense. They are standing up a lot straighter than my others, so we will see.

Sounds like they are runners. Runners do really love to forage more than other breeds. One of my khakis was like that. He would leap into my hands, because that meant he got to come out and run around. They are being smart little duckies, knowing how to get what they want

 

[Miss Lydia]

What we need is some pictures we love baby pictures.


Another thing is if you have your brooder on the floor and can place it up on a table so your ducklings are more eye level with you that way when you walk up on them they don't perceive you as a predator getting ready to pounce on them from above.

 

[Quatie]

What we need is some pictures we love baby pictures.


Another thing is if you have your brooder on the floor and can place it up on a table so your ducklings are more eye level with you that way when you walk up on them they don't perceive you as a predator getting ready to pounce on them from above.

Agreed. They definitely love to come check you out if you lay on the floor with them.

 

[sbolerjack]

Agreed. They definitely love to come check you out if you lay on the floor with them.

I will try to post a better picture tomorrow.

 

[Quatie]

They are adorable!

 

[sbolerjack]

Updated pic. 2 1/2 weeks old.