How to best raise ducklings so they are friendly?

[shiloh04]

I have my first two ducklings to raise. They just hatched today.

The older ducks were all purchased from the feed stores at several days old, and they were kept out in the barn until old enough to go out into the pen with the chickens. They were never fond of being handled, and still will run when approached. I want these guys to be a bit more friendly.

What's the best way to accomplish that?

I am leaving the brooder for these guys in the spare bathroom so they will get more attention, and they are currently sitting under my arm. They don't seem to be fearful of me yet, but then again they are not really moving too horribly well yet since they are only 8 and 4 hours old.

 

[ConchRepublic]

Peas and other treats are best.

Nettie and Duckfeeder have a good set up for getting them to bond I believe, but I think it's only good with babies.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

When I hatched my ducklings, I spent several hours a day holding them and feeding them. It was during the summer, so I had plenty of time.
One of ducklings turned out very friendly to this day.

 

[luckyduck]

We are hatching ducklings.. now have 11 ranging from 2 weeks to one day old. As soon as they are dry i handle them gently, talk to them and stroke them with a finger thinking that's a motion a mommy duck would do with its bill. During the first day or 2, I carry them around tucked in my sweater for short periods of time.My first 4 are very imprinted on me, and call for me and climb into my arms. They like to sit on my hand rather than be held when I move them around. I am really new to ducks, but the thing seems to be about consistency and affection and relating to them as much as you can (boy, is it ever time consuming right now for us with 11!) It's so worth it when they actually let you know they are glad to see you and be with you. We love ducks!

 

[bemba]

Most of my ducks are handraised, the best method for tameness is the imprinting method..... when mine hatch and are still wet i pick them up and talk to them.... my word is duckduckduck in a soft voice and they will respond with the happy noise.... then once they are dry but still a bit wobbley i put them on the ground near my feet walk backward slowy and call duckduckduck they will head straight to the familiar voice, and the movement of your feet, and when they make the distress call you once again speak to them in your chosen word to reasure them you are still there. At this time i gain their trust even more but cutting mealworms up into small peices, and with them on my lap, i wriggle bits of mealworm infront of them and this stimulates them to peck at your fingers (if you dont have the stomach for this just dip your finger in water then in crumbles) trust me this really works they will follow you everywhere, and always want to be with you as ducklings and as adults they will run to you rather than run away!

 

[Birdcrazy]

I hand raised 2 ducks from 5 weeks old. they are very very friendly as adults. i kept them in a sort of cage with hay and every morning at six took them out to play and clean and took them out in the afternoon after school. By playing i mean i took them into my garden which is overpopulated with slaters (my ducks FAVE food) and everytime i call them and head to the garden they go mad. they get soooo excited and run at me tweeting. i gave my duckies a lot of attention and now days i constantly cuddle the drake and the duck doesnt even mind if i put my hand under her and pull out an egg while she is broody

infact im keeping her company during broody days. i sit with her and read a book so she is always accustomed with me in her life.

when the ducklings hatched i caught grass hoppers and constantly fed them (another fave food, but not as much as slaters) i always handled my ducks and ducklings, and today the ducklings have been hand raised and gone to happy homes as pets

 

[nettie]

The best thing to do with ducklings is to hold them, pick them up, and snuggle them often. We keep ours in the house, so we separate each duckling into a different brooder. That way they bond to us only . If you can't separate them or you want them to still like each other, the best thign to do is to handle them as much as you possible can while they are little. When they get to se about 4-5 weeks old, they'll start getting really skittish, but you have to keep up with holding them. Eventually they get to like you ecause you are the one who rings them food. lol All of my ducks are imprinted on people, with 4 out of the six bonded to us (the other two i helped raise, but they left when they were 2 months old, they like me a lot but not like how the others do...). Having an imprinted and bonded duck requires a lot more attention and love and time because they depend so heavily on you. I only recommend that for duck who live inside.

 

[duckluck]

I think this would work well too for pet ducks who spend time outside in a large pen or other sort of enclosure, don't you think? I think it would be good in cases like mine where you want the birds to breed but not get too upset by being handled, fed or having eggs gathered...

 

[Duck_feeder]

I think the first few days are the most crucial. if you are the only other living thing they come in contact with (not even other ducklings), they will crave your attention. Once they get used to wanting your attention, they'll bond to you very quickly. We built their brooders with plastic windows so they could see us whenever they were in the room. We gave them a mirror so they wouldn't get too lonely. This was a good solution because they are too little to realize that reflection is a not a different bird but they can't bond to a reflection.

I would spend at least 2-3 sessions a day (15 minutes each) just holding the ducklings. Moxy just loved to sit on me so I'd cover her tiny body with my hands to keep her warm. Norie would try her best to climb me as high as possible (that was really fun and cute until her claws of death grew in and sliced me up.

). Norie just loves hiding her head in a warm crevice so if you stop her from climbing you, she'll shove her head as far into your armpit as she can (often to the point where half her body is sticking out the other side!).

At 8 weeks, they both still have these habits - I think they believe those actions are the correct way to interact with us. Moxy will sit calmly on either Nettie's or my lap for well over an hour and Norie is content hiding her head in an armpit.

They still don't like the process of being picked up (they'll try to run away), but once we're holding them they calm down and want to snuggle.

 

[Duck_feeder]

Quote:
It would but you risk having a pet duck that get depressed when you're not around. But if they bond to the other ducks, I'm sure they'll get over it.

I just wouldn't go to the extremes the Nettie and I do. I think simply handling them often starting at a young age will ensure they understand being handled is perfectly safe and normal (and often results in getting treats!)