How long until ducks tame?

[BethLouMcCormick]

Maybe poultry isn't for you, I think a cat or puppy is more suited.
I find ducks & chickens ect are happy doing there own thing and come to us as people when suited.
the time it takes to build trust is very long, could take months and you've only gave them 2days, of course they'll be scared !
you mentioned getting chickens instead, im just wondering what you'll do once the chickens wont come for a cuddle??
it may be best on the next animal to research what they are like/need.

 

[BethLouMcCormick]

Well I can rehome the ducks and get chickens instead

???
the chicken may never want to be cuddled or eat out of your hand tho??????

 

[tcmarie]

From my personal experience:

I purchased an adult farm duck that had no positive human interaction prior to meeting me.. He had been beaten up and picked on by other drakes he'd been housed with, missing feathers, and just frightened of everything.

He was bought to keep my 6 month old mallard company (his friend has a tragic hawk incident). He tried many times to run back home and I chased him all over making him come back.

However, a nite or two after he arrived, I put him inside in my bathroom (he was beating up and trying to kill my other duck) I spent a few days and a few nites sitting and sleeping on the floor in there. Eventually curiosity got the best of him and he got to the point he'd approach me as long as I was asleep(or pretending to be). He even slept next to me by the second end of it.
He lost a lot of his fear at that time because he started to trust me and rely on me to help him (they're crazy smart critters). After we both felt some trust building I let him back out and things just improved from there.

He actually became more of a Lovey dovey cuddle bunny than the other one that I'd hand raised since it hatched.

It was crazy to watch him... That's how I learned just how incredibly smart ducks can be actually. He would stand next to me each nite when I was putting them to sleep and, with his one foot tucked up under him for sleep time, he would get his face right up in front of mine and give me his "one eyeball stare" and kinda squint his eye, in a "cute/innocent" kinda way as he dozed in and out before Id go inside.. He reminded me of a child giving the pathetic face to a parent to sucker them into buying it something extra. The crazy thing about it was that he'd look me over and lock eyes with me in the most content, happy, appreciative way. It was freaky. Eventually he got to the point he would wait to go lay down until I'd cuddled him for a few mins and lean my chin down on his nose..
He never got to the point my other duck did as far as sitting on my lap or jumping up to my lap/on furniture, but occasionally he would get feeling daring and run across my lap and he'd get all sorts of proud after he'd made it over; freaking out and running about flapping his wings...then he'd come cuddle lol

The biggest difference between your situation and mine is that i had a "tame" duck available to "show him the ropes". But don't let that stop you! These are very smart animals and they pay close attention to tiny details... You show them that you will fight off predators, help them, feed them and prove that you won't eat them, they will notice.. But you will have to be VERY patient especially since they have a bond and will turn to each other for safety vs you.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I answered on your other thread.
Post #11
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/are-gooses-easy-to-tame-and-clean-pets.1193228/page-2