Holding a duck...

[sloanbychoice]

So I’m going to go ahead and ask the dumb question...
After extensive research for years on chickens, I sometimes cringe at pics of kids holding chicks and chickens, or even adults sometimes, because they don’t realize there are dangerous or uncomfortable ways to hold them.
So, I very recently got ducklings, and I’m trying to learn as fast as I can, and I got to wondering if there are unsafe ways to handle these little guys.
I mean, at first they were so tiny and weightless... then five minutes later, they’re triple that size...
Obviously I don’t want to hurt them.. so I just wanted to check... anything newbies should know about handling them? Or are they pretty tough?

 

[Cazook]

I hold them the same as chickens... around the middle so they don't flap. Ducks can have a good kick though so I usually hold them under my arm to the side. As long as you are supporting the body and so the wings can't flap there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Percipen]

I do the same as cazook. It can be awkward getting the ducklings used to being held that way. They kick and flap and it usually takes me a few tries (by this I mean if they get a wing loose or their little dagger nails get too close to my arms I have to set them down and readjust my grip) everytime I pick them up until they get used to it. And it seems like there's always that one overdramatic duckling that peeps and wiggles like crazy every time they're picked up