How long until ducks tame?

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"Tame" is a relative term when it comes to ducks. You may never get duck to eat out of your hand, it depends on the duck, but with time and patience, you can get them to come running when you show up with food and treats instead of running away. After a few weeks in their new home, they should be comfortable with it. Do they have an outdoor area they spend time in now? If not, I would watch them when they free range for a few weeks until they get use to the routine of going into the coop at night.
 
buggymuffin said:
"Tame" is a relative term when it comes to ducks. You may never get duck to eat out of your hand, it depends on the duck, but with time and patience, you can get them to come running when you show up with food and treats instead of running away. After a few weeks in their new home, they should be comfortable with it. Do they have an outdoor area they spend time in now? If not, I would watch them when they free range for a few weeks until they get use to the routine of going into the coop at night.
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I got them last Sunday. So I should let them out today? Will they go back into the coop? Will they fly away?
 
Tough one to answer!

I have had two ducks since they were a few days old and the other two ducks since they were about 2-3 weeks old.

All four of mine do fly. But they don't fly away. They all free range 100% during the day now, from about 6:30 am until about 7 or 8 pm. They always come home.

I started off with an exercise kennel that I would take them to outside to. Then I went to letting one end open...added a pool...made a Clubhouse...to now they are free. The Clubhouse is still there until later today when I start to dismantle it. I'll be moving their pool to the garden area (clubhouse is on the other side of the garden) and still provide the calf house for safety and for shade.

In the beginning, I carried the ducks to the kennel. Then I began to "herd" them to the kennel. They now waddle on their own through the house to get from point A to point B, and vice versa each day. (That took some training!)

I have chicken flocks that are out and about all day too, free ranging. Everyone gets along for the most part.

The ducks free time was a gradual thing, under supervision. Even now, I go out and check on them often.

Give it time, do a little now...and expand on that. Remember that they are still adjusting to a new home, you, new feed, etc. They probably don't feel "safe" and "secure" YET.
 
After serious consideration, I will be rehoming the two ducks to a rescue that has 40 acres. These ducks will be happier in a large open area than in my 7x7x6ft coop.
 
DrJohnNash said:
After serious consideration, I will be rehoming the two ducks to a rescue that has 40 acres. These ducks will be happier in a large open area than in my 7x7x6ft coop.
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Dear Dr. John,
I feel that rehoming your ducks is a VERY wise decision. Good for you! By your own descriptions of what you want (to have them eating out of your hand and holding them in your arms), it seems that a better pet for you would be a dog.
I read these things all the time. For some reason unknown to me, people think that holding (cuddling, too) ducks is a desirable thing. I simply don't get it. Why? Ducks are breeds that will honestly teach us about protocol, and it must be THEIR way, not ours. Perhaps it is difficult to show love without touching the animals, but please know that it is up to them, not us. If it sounds like I am being mean, I promise you that I am not trying to be. I just accept the creatures for who they are! If you can join me in this type of behavior, I know you will be happier. And please forgive me if it seems that I am being hard on you. It is simply the truth, unvarnished.
Good luck, and keep your eyes and ears open!
 
gilbert2 said:
Dear Dr. John,
I feel that rehoming your ducks is a VERY wise decision. Good for you! By your own descriptions of what you want (to have them eating out of your hand and holding them in your arms), it seems that a better pet for you would be a dog.
I read these things all the time. For some reason unknown to me, people think that holding (cuddling, too) ducks is a desirable thing. I simply don't get it. Why? Ducks are breeds that will honestly teach us about protocol, and it must be THEIR way, not ours. Perhaps it is difficult to show love without touching the animals, but please know that it is up to them, not us. If it sounds like I am being mean, I promise you that I am not trying to be. I just accept the creatures for who they are! If you can join me in this type of behavior, I know you will be happier. And please forgive me if it seems that I am being hard on you. It is simply the truth, unvarnished.
Good luck, and keep your eyes and ears open!
Click to expand...

Great read...:highfive:
 
gilbert2 said:
Dear Dr. John,
I feel that rehoming your ducks is a VERY wise decision. Good for you! By your own descriptions of what you want (to have them eating out of your hand and holding them in your arms), it seems that a better pet for you would be a dog.
I read these things all the time. For some reason unknown to me, people think that holding (cuddling, too) ducks is a desirable thing. I simply don't get it. Why? Ducks are breeds that will honestly teach us about protocol, and it must be THEIR way, not ours. Perhaps it is difficult to show love without touching the animals, but please know that it is up to them, not us. If it sounds like I am being mean, I promise you that I am not trying to be. I just accept the creatures for who they are! If you can join me in this type of behavior, I know you will be happier. And please forgive me if it seems that I am being hard on you. It is simply the truth, unvarnished.
Good luck, and keep your eyes and ears open!
Click to expand...
1000000% agree
 

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