Help with New Babies

[Yardmom]

Ducks are naturally very skittish. Some breeds more than others. Being scared of you is normal. Some birds will calm with time and treats.

 

[indianaducks]

I have 4 skittish ducklings I got a few days ago. They are acting much like my older ducks (6 month old now) did at their age so I'm not worried. My older ducks will run to me outside when I have snacks, and race me back to their pen when its feeding time. They don't want to snuggle... but they know me and are no longer skittish. They happily quack and run over to say hi when I come outside. It became easier to "bond" when they were old enough for treats and a move outside out of the brooder. They are not the super friendly pets that are human imprinted, but I'm okay with that.
Just my limited experience.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’m wondering if maybe they weren’t treated well at the store and so they’re terrified of people. I’m wondering if I should rehome them to someone who isn’t looking for necessarily friendly birds and hatch some eggs instead… any thoughts?

It could be that being in the store for any length of time may have traumatized the little ones.
It's up to you if you want to rehome or keep letting them get used to their new home and see if they don't warm up. If you want a lap pet though or something that wants to be snuggled you may be looking in the wrong direction with ducks. Poor things need a safe place to live with someone who will accept them for what they are. I have ducks that are as old as 14 yrs and out of 5 only one wants to be petted[he's 10] and it was because he was rejected by his mama and I took him in. None of my Runners or Buffs want to be petted But they don't mind me hanging out with them. 4 out of my 10 Runners and Buffs were raised inside in a brooder and loved on daily. They would rather I not handle them. So it's up to you.

 

[Dsauce91]

I appreciate the input from everyone. I just want to be sure they’re not going to be forever terrified of me and in a panic when I’m around. But it sounds like everyone has had some similar experiences and things will slowly adjust. I want them to have a good home regardless of if they had a bad experience at the store so I’ll just keep on waiting and seeing how It goes.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think they need more time. And maybe add a mirror in their brooder so they don’t feel like it’s just the 2 of them. All my ducks even adults like to see themselves I have a framed mirror on the wall in my coop at their height so they can admire themselves.