How strong is the imprint ducklings have on their owners?

[JJpuck]

If I want to take my ducks to a friend's pond, would they come back to me when it was time to leave?

 

[ducksinarow]

I don't think so.

 

[20123001]

It depends where your friends pond it located. If the pond is located adjacent to your property and you kind of herded them in that direction, then yes they would come back to their home. However, if you physically have to transport them to this pond, I would say that they wouldn't come running to you when they were done with their swim, they probably wouldn't wander very far though since they don't know where they are at.

 

[Finny]

I am going to follow this thread, I have been wondering this for a while. I am going to see what other people think about this

 

[Zombified]

I'm curious about this as well. Someone on BYC said they take their ducks to lakes and other places, and the ducks stay close. These ducks also allowed the owner to pick them up and all that. Mine are definitely not the type to do this, though it would be pretty fun.

 

[Finny]

Zombified, that WH in your picture is gorgeous!

 

[deserthotwings]

Probably not a good idea. They tend to get a little carried away when in water and almost impossible to get them out until they exhaust themselves. Also, be sure there are no big turtles in the pond or any predators around that might snatch them up.

 

[Zombified]

Zombified, that WH in your picture is gorgeous!

Thank you!

 

[Funniducki1]

They probably wouldn't come back to you. It would be different if you had one duck that was raised alone and imprinted only on you--there is a marked difference when ducklings are raised alone vs. in groups of 2 or more. When raised alone, they lose all recognition of their own species and believe they are human---or whatever living creature they have imprinted upon.
If you could figure out how to fence in a part of the pond for temporary use, that may be thought--but a lot of work.
When ducks are brought to new locations they are oftentimes afraid and get quite nervous and hard to settle down.

 

[Finny]

I am raising a lone duckling. He had buddies up until he was two weeks old. I handle him a lot and take him everywhere with me when I am home. Would he think he is a human still even if he had duck interaction for the first two weeks of his life? He is about six weeks old now.