How do I get my ducks to like me?

[Quackstiel]

I got duck about a week ago from rural king. They were already a little older I think. But the are so scared of everything and hate being handled. What do I do to get them ok with being handled and to like me. I have two Welsh harlequin ducklings I think about 2-4 weeks old.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I got duck about a week ago from rural king. They were already a little older I think. But the are so scared of everything and hate being handled. What do I do to get them ok with being handled and to like me. I have two Welsh harlequin ducklings I think about 2-4 weeks old.

Give them time and give them treats. Animals are not like people, you must earn their trust over time

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Time and patience. And of course treats
Try not to come at them from above, they hate that due to natural instincts to beware of threats from the sky.
Don't move too fast around them, slow and steady movements.
Try not to Chase them Unless you absolutely have to. Get down on the floor or ground with them and just let them get comfortable with your presence. I've found ducks to be very curious and they usually can't resist eventually coming closer to see what your doing
Also at that age they are probably staring to grow some feathers and they will go through a spell of hating to be touched even if they had been bonded to you previously. . I guess it doesn't feel too good when those feathers are starting to poke through their skin.
In time they should learn to trust you, or at least come close for food. However a lot of them don't ever necessarily love be petted and handled much. Don't take it personally they are just being ducks.

 

[CayugaJana]

I would say mine are pretty tame. And the only way I get to pet mine is when I put treats on the ground. I pet them while they are eating. They tolerate it. But once the food is gone, they don’t want anything to do with it.

 

[Jpat]

Some days are like this. some she is terrified

 

[thumper650]

I would say mine are pretty tame. And the only way I get to pet mine is when I put treats on the ground. I pet them while they are eating. They tolerate it. But once the food is gone, they don’t want anything to do with it.

Mine are the same, they like to follow me, but it's mostly when food is involved.

 

[CrystaBub]

I got a new 3.5 month old duck on Saturday and we’re still working on our relationship. I made progress today by just laying on the grass with her - and she sweetly pecked at me. Usually she stays 4 feet from me and just looks me up and down! Patience is hard when they are so dang cute and you want to cuddle them! My 2 other ducks I’ve raised from 1 week old. They will play with me and eat out of my hand. But even they don’t like to be picked up and play time is on their schedule - they decide when they want me lol. I’ll take what I can get.

Good luck - I’m sure you’ll be the best of friends before you know it!!

 

[Quackstiel]

Thanks for all the feed back it's really helped

 

[CrystaBub]

Thanks for all the feed back it's really helped