How do you get ducks to stop running away/eating out of your hand

[CrystaBub]

I have 6 ducks and they were traumatized after Aflac died.

I"m sorry they are traumatized - but they sure are beautiful babies. I have a late addition Ancona that I'm still working on - my other 3 are totally fine with me touching/holding/etc. I"m trying to be patient but it's so hard!

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

Buy mealworms!
Just hold them in your hand and wait out there, say 10 minutes! Mine come crawling!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Time...it’s all about how much time you spend with them.
Trust takes time to build.

 

[Jpat]

I just jump in grab whos closest, Hug them, get scratched up and throw them in the pool haha

 

[TheGooseLord]

i tried with lettuce because i couldn't find any stores that sell meal worms. they didnt eat it until i backed away

 

[Miss Lydia]

If your weather is warm maybe take a stool or chair and sit out with them we are less threatening if we aren’t standing over them. TSC sells meal worms also Amazon. Once your spending time in their presence try putting the treat a couple feet away then when they come that far for a few days try a little closer you may have them eating out of your hand in less than a month. Completely different with each breed. My Muscovys will eat out my hand then I have 5 Runners and two Buff ducks and out of that 7 only 2 will eat out of my hand. You just never know!

 

[Kkrista123]

You need mealworms. Then try ice cubes you make with sorted veggie or fruit and they'll love them!

 

[TheGooseLord]

I bought mealworms today! Wish me luck!

 

[chickens really]

I don't hand feed any livestock. It can encourage behaviour that's not wanted.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Many of us feed our ducks out of our hand I do all my birds. Occasionally I get nipped by my gander but during off breeding season it's an accident. Not so during breeding season so I don't hand feed him. If you want to feed your birds out of your hand by all means do.