How loving are ducks???

[DenverDucky]

I think you have a very special one!!

I do! She is very special but she is not alone! There's a lot of cuddly loving ducks out there

 

[rabbitzki]

Thanks for the welcome

I've just given bubble a bath as he seemed to want to clean the smell of vet off him!
I was advised not to get him another duck as they would probably fight. Not sure I totally agree but didn't want to risk it.
I hope the vet can fix him because I would hate to lose him. Just one of the disadvantages of being a pet owner, you have to make difficult decisions.
I had an Africa Pygmy hedgehog (Kibibi - Swahili for "little lady"). I noticed some blood in her cage so took her to the vet on the Friday.
Neither of us could get her to uncurl so she had to be sedated. She had a lump in her abdomen which turned out to be a womb tumour.
She was due to have a hysterectomy on the Monday but died on Sunday evening. Her last couple of days were clearly very painful and I wish I had made the decision to end her life on the Friday.
You can never know what the best thing to do is. Ah well!

 

[rabbitzki]

Aaah DenverDucky, what a lovely duck you have. I think they make great pets but, like you say, not a good idea to let them get too close unless you can stay with them.

 

[ChampionAlex]

My ducks did the same thing when they were young. Once I moved them to the yard outside it all changed. Just how you described lol

 

[DenverDucky]

It still depends on the duck. Some house ducks don't stay imprinted. Mine did because she's never been an outdoor duck. We go outside together but I never leave her out there. I let her play in her pool and run around in the yard eating bugs, but if I leave for even a second she's at the back door want in. She will let anyone pet her and has had multiple visits to the local elementary school. So yes the can be very loving, if you have the time to spend.

BTW, ducks can be clicker trained! I've seen multiple YouTube videos. I'm planning to start with that on Soleil this summer

 

[melissamerry]

I very much believe that ducks can be loving, even when they grow up.
I picked up my three little boogers at 2 weeks old and now at 7 months they still like being held like a baby and taking naps on my lap.
I think It just depends on how much time a person can spend with them. I'm outside with the ducks a lot though. I do my studying outside with them when I'm
not at school, and when I'm not at work I'm out with them too.

Cat food helps too with the affection. They now know when I get home that they get a handful of it. They meet me by the door and wait their turn for a hug and a treat!



Here's them at a couple months old at the beach.

And then all grown up hiding in my jacket at the beach

They love being held like babies



And taking naps on laps

 

[DenverDucky]

I very much believe that ducks can be loving, even when they grow up. I picked up my three little boogers at 2 weeks old and now at 7 months they still like being held like a baby and taking naps on my lap. I think It just depends on how much time a person can spend with them. I'm outside with the ducks a lot though. I do my studying outside with them when I'm not at school, and when I'm not at work I'm out with them too. Cat food helps too with the affection. They now know when I get home that they get a handful of it. They meet me by the door and wait their turn for a hug and a treat! Here's them at a couple months old at the beach.

And then all grown up hiding in my jacket at the beach

They love being held like babies And taking naps on laps

My girl loves hiding in my hoodie and jackets too hah I used to keep her in there when she was a little duckling your ducks are so cute! So loving <3

 

[melissamerry]

My girl loves hiding in my hoodie and jackets too hah I used to keep her in there when she was a little duckling

your ducks are so cute! So loving <3

Thanks! yours is such a darling! I never knew ducks had so much personality.
BTW, what's clicker trained????

 

[DenverDucky]

Thanks! yours is such a darling! I never knew ducks had so much personality.

BTW, what's clicker trained???? 

They sell clickers at pet stores that help train other animals. You click it when they do something good and then reward with a treat. Google it and check it out, there's even videos on clicker training poultry.

And thank you Soleil is an amazing ducky! What are your ducks names?

 

[duckluck]

My duck is very loving! She' s cuddly, kissy, and sweet! She is imprinted which makes a lot of difference when it comes to duck behavior. I don't work so my time with her is constant. She goes almost everywhere with me and when I do leave have to leave her it's only for short times to grab groceries and such. Otherwise I have a carseat and stroller for her so she can easily go places with me including family vacations! She makes family trips exciting and very memorable for us and for the people who get the chance to pet a very nice duck

P.S. I don't recommend imprinting any duck/ducks unless you have the time to spend like I do!

Very nice duck! But good point about the imprinting...people have to always bear in mind the long-term commitment before doing something like this, because they can't expect an animal who has been raised like this to just be able to transition to a new owner if they decide they don't want it anymore. It is unfair to expect that of an animal. People imprinting and raising "house ducks" have to be prepared for a life commitment. It's important enough for animals who are generally raised as pets, but more so for animals like ducks who generally are expected to behave as something other than sociable pets and constant companions. So I am glad you put that disclaimer in there...it would be very easy for people to see your duck and say "I want one of those!" without putting the thought in ahead of time.