How do i get ducklings to like me?

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Maggie_lyon

In the Brooder
Jun 3, 2022
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I just got three pekin ducklings there all males and are so cute. But they hate me there 3 days old but i got them when they where 1 day old we bought them from a farm. My ducklings hate me i literally craw over to there brooder and talk to them so they get use to my voice. But its not working they hate me i tried to touch them and they scream and run away. Once i pick them up they snuggle all close to my neck but thats the only bond we have. But if try to touch them in there brooder they freck. And i tried to put them in a small area and let them run around with me in there but they just stayed in a corrnen soo scared should i keep trying that? Please help i don't know what to do at this point. I really want them to imprint on me but i think jts to late they hate me.
 
Ducks are prey animals, it's a very strong instinct to be afraid of anything, it's what keeps them alive. Since they have each other they won't imprint on you, which is good, so they don't panic when you're not there. Plus they're young they haven't had time to get used to you. They don't hate you, they're terrified. Having ducks isn't what instagram makes it look like, those ducks are the exception to the rule, your ducks will likely learn to eat out hand and maybe come when called but that's it. As they get older, you can bring treats but their a few months to young yet. Poultry aren't often lap animals, I'm sorry.
 
Maggie_lyon said:
I just got three pekin ducklings there all males and are so cute. But they hate me there 3 days old but i got them when they where 1 day old we bought them from a farm. My ducklings hate me i literally craw over to there brooder and talk to them so they get use to my voice. But its not working they hate me i tried to touch them and they scream and run away. Once i pick them up they snuggle all close to my neck but thats the only bond we have. But if try to touch them in there brooder they freck. And i tried to put them in a small area and let them run around with me in there but they just stayed in a corrnen soo scared should i keep trying that? Please help i don't know what to do at this point. I really want them to imprint on me but i think jts to late they hate me.
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Its just duck ways. Every new food is poison, and everything might eat them 😹 Their instincts are flight flight and more flight. Its not you. My 2 pekin drakes are person friendly (brats to the girl ducks) but my 5 girls want nothing to do with touching.
 
nuthatched said:
Ducks are prey animals, it's a very strong instinct to be afraid of anything, it's what keeps them alive. Since they have each other they won't imprint on you, which is good, so they don't panic when you're not there. Plus they're young they haven't had time to get used to you. They don't hate you, they're terrified. Having ducks isn't what instagram makes it look like, those ducks are the exception to the rule, your ducks will likely learn to eat out hand and maybe come when called but that's it. As they get older, you can bring treats but their a few months to young yet. Poultry aren't often lap animals, I'm sorry.
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They are so sweet when i pick them up tho and love cuddles so ill take what i can get thank you for the anvice
 

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Welcome to BYC.
I don't have ducks, but I'm sure this method will work, just as is does for chickens.
Sit on the ground, be quiet (I read a book), sprinkle some feed or treats around you. It may take several days, maybe a couple of weeks, but they will eventually climb all over you.
 

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