Handling Ducklings

[nmr]

Hi! So I have three 2-week old and one 1-week old Cayuga ducklings and I was wondering the best ways to handle them or how they prefer to be touched? Do they have any "sweet spots"?

Thanks!

 

[416bigbore]

The sweet spot would be holding them secure snuggled up to your chest.

 

[Callender Girl]

While all of my runner ducks and ducklings will eat out of my hand, I have NEVER found a sweet spot with them where they enjoy being held. I can, however, pick them up, hold them against my chest, with their wings held down. Ducks' legs are more delicate than chickens, so be gentle with those.

 

[nmr]

The sweet spot would be holding them secure snuggled up to your chest.

This is generally what I do

 

[416bigbore]

This is generally what I do

Please post pics of your babies!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Scoop under not from above. They are programmed to be fearful of anything that comes from above.

 

[416bigbore]

I can hold Miss Piggy and Porky our two wild Mallard hens snuggled up close to my chest. The only problem being with this is, they turn into a very loud and annoying car alarms you can't turn off until you put them down. QUACK! QUACK!, QUACK!, QUACK!, QUACK!

 

[416bigbore]

Then when I do put them down, they immediately run over to the pool and jump in to clean themselves off. Go figure those silly gooses! LOL