how to bond with ducklings

[DuckieLover8]

I have two 9 week old welsh harlequin ducklings named "Cheese and Quackers" that I have had trouble bonding with them. They let me pet them sometimes, but I can't pick them up. They love to bite at my fingers and they will eat out of my hand. Does anyone have any ideas to help get them to be nicer? Thanks!

This is them.

 

[Kaessa]

Did you hatch them yourself or buy them already a day old or more? If they eat out of your hand and nibble at your fingers, you're doing pretty well! Lots of ducks just don't like to be picked up. Mine are ok with being petted (sometimes), one of them tolerates being picked up, but they'll all come running to be my best buddies if I have a handful of peas. Some ducks are cuddly, some are not. My Abba HATES to be picked up, but once you pick her up, she'll snuggle her bill right under your chin and cuddle. You'd think she was being killed on the way there, though.


It's a duck thing.

 

[localife]

Welsh Harelquins also seem to have a tendency to be a bit reserved with human bonding from my own experience and what I've read here. My ten are willing to come around to me for food, and I can lift them out of the water by reaching under them, but it's got to be their idea or I might as well be killing them as far as they are concerned. I like to just sit in among them and let them come to investigate me. They still get all freaked if I move, but they will come and nibble at my clothes and walk across me legs. I consider that duck love...

 

[DuckieLover8]

Thank you! They are starting to let me pet them more just now, and they seem to LOVE peas!!!

 

[MountainDirt]

Thank you! I have three Welsh Harlequins and I hatched them at home. They are a month old and always seem so scared. They don't come anywhere close to me. I have them in a crate while they are feathering out but I keep trying to get them used to being outside. I'll have to try some peas and hope that will help!