How to get friendly ducks

[Smurfbrew]

I made some mistakes when mine were little, I tended to snatch them up quickly which freaked them out and made 'em skittish. I was, and still am quite the noobie, but we've been working with them a lot and now they will eat out of just about anyone's hand if meal worms are involved. Slow movements and soft voices cannot be stressed enough. What we did was sit in their house with them while giving them their bedtime snack. We petted them while they ate and they couldn't get too far from us, so they had to tolerate it. I don't think they are ever going to like it, but they are used to it now and not scared of us any more. This took a looong time though, so persistence is the key.

 

[Y-Knot]

I tried peas as suggested. I don't think my ducks read the regarding how wonderful the peas would be. They picked them and spat them out like a kid who took a bite of canned spinach. Maybe the peas were too old. It wasn't just one duck, they all rejected the peas. It seems that if one either likes or dislikes something, they all do.
Funny little guys

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Too funny. Were they frozen or thawed?

 

[needlessjunk]

I tried peas as suggested. I don't think my ducks read the regarding how wonderful the peas would be. They picked them and spat them out like a kid who took a bite of canned spinach. Maybe the peas were too old. It wasn't just one duck, they all rejected the peas. It seems that if one either likes or dislikes something, they all do.
Funny little guys

Lol! Silly things. My new ones didn't know what peas were the first few times I fed them but now they are just like the rest and got quackers over it. I would give it a few tries before crossing it off. Watermelon is also a big hit with mine if you can get your hands on it.

 

[Amykins]

I tried peas as suggested. I don't think my ducks read the regarding how wonderful the peas would be. They picked them and spat them out like a kid who took a bite of canned spinach. Maybe the peas were too old. It wasn't just one duck, they all rejected the peas. It seems that if one either likes or dislikes something, they all do.
Funny little guys

I know it sounds weird, but try shelling 'em. Wobbles didn't know what to do with the outer skin so I just sorta popped them open to get the two split pea halves, and then he was like "oh, okay!"

 

[BayBay Peepers]

There's an idea

 

[Y-Knot]

I know it sounds weird, but try shelling 'em. Wobbles didn't know what to do with the outer skin so I just sorta popped them open to get the two split pea halves, and then he was like "oh, okay!"

I used some frozen peas I had thawed out. Maybe they are organic and only want to go with fresh. Will have to try that. Another thing that will show my hubby that I am insane .. buying peas for ducks! You just gotta love them. Hubby & the ducks

 

[Y-Knot]

Lol! Silly things. My new ones didn't know what peas were the first few times I fed them but now they are just like the rest and got quackers over it. I would give it a few tries before crossing it off. Watermelon is also a big hit with mine if you can get your hands on it.

Must be an acquired taste

 

[Amykins]

Must be an acquired taste

Watermelon is a good idea! So is cantaloupe.

 

[Y-Knot]

Watermelon is a good idea! So is cantaloupe.

They will get that closer to summer. They like to play "keep away" with tomato slices. I don't buy tomatoes in the winter but there will be plenty in the summer. The ladies at the store save some of their old veggies for me. The ducks love some of the stuff. Recently another darn woman has been getting in before me. If I knew who it was, I could tell her that don't want the whole bag just a few things. I wonder if they would like squash? Everyone up here grows too much squash. I just wait until other people plant too much and I get some from them. Mine do like celery.