Handling ducks

[Gilderoy Peckhard]

Any advice for handling ducks and them liking it?
My ducks are 4 months old and hate being held, a couple of them won't even eat out of my hand even when they're hungry. I've trained chickens before to like being held, it's always worked out, but Ducks just seem to be a little harder. I've been occasionally catching them and holding them for just a little bit and then putting them down and treating them, I also visit with them a lot during the daytime, but they still seem skittish. Some of this might have to do with when I had to clean out their brooder when they were ducklings they got really scared about that every time I did it, maybe some trauma there? Thinking I'm so scary?

I give them lots of treats, and they don't mind being near me, but I am not allowed to touch them.

 

[sourland]

Not unusual behavior for teen aged ducks. Catching and forcing them to be held only reinforces their prey instincts to avoid being touched.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Learning to tolerate being held is hard on most poultry species. It reminds them of predators grabbing them. Most will be skiddish at that young age, but with continual, and consistent gentle interactions, they often get better as they mature, and become more confident. Bribing with a favorite treat also helps. It trains them to move towards you instead of away.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Make yourself small, down to their level. Most of us brood our ducks in some kind of stock tank, and we come at them from above like a predator from the sky. I have seen some people with tanks like they use for pet snakes, up on a table, with Plexiglas sides / or screening of some kind , so the ducks see you come towards them at their own level and they are less afraid.
It is their nature to be skittish because they are prey animals with no defense really.
They may not ever want you to hold them, but they should get used to you enough to come and eat from your hand.

 

[Gilderoy Peckhard]

Thanks for the feedback! The only time I 'forced' then to be held was when putting them up at night. (Their coop was off the ground with a ramp, and they wouldn't use it for the longest time.)
Now, they put themselves up, so it's a lot better!

 

[livinginthewild]

In my experience, tameness has a lot to do with genetics, individuality etc. Some animals are simply more trusting and "touchy" than others, maybe more interested in people. If your ducks are in the "skittish" category, it might be hard to get them touch-tame.

I've always found chickens difficult to tame, but this year I got a new breed that's basically fighting to sit on my head, and I haven't even tried to tame them! Certainly a new problem for me, chickens that are TOO NEEDY!

As for ducks, I've found that most of mine don't mind that I touch their front and bellies. Some actually seem to enjoy being petted on their chests.

Good luck!

 

[Debbie292d]

We have three ducks and a zillion chickens. Chickens are WAY easier to tame than ducks.

A couple of months ago, I had to check one duck over so got her at night, and I was so excited to hold her. That was the only time since becoming adults.

I've relinquished myself that I'll never tame them up to the point of touching them, but at least now they come within a couple of feet, where before they'd keep a huge distance.

I don't spend enough time on them, but if you have some, just keep working with them; I think eventually I could get mine tamer.