How to make a friendly duck

[luvmypets]

we raised our ducklings since they were day olds. They are now over a year and scared of us. I read all these stories of ducks coming when called, and love being picked up. All I have to do is walk towards ours and they bolt. I don't get why they are afraid they loved to snuggle when they were babies but now they are scared to death if we walk in the coop. I just wish ours were a little friendlier... Thoughts

 

[muscovyslover]

From my experience with ducks, I would say it's too late to make them friendly enough to let you pick them up. But by spending time outside with them and feeding them, you could get them to stop bolting and come near you.

I've learned that if you spend time with your ducks on a daily basis from duckling to adulthood, they'll be your friends for life. This especially applies to if you hatched them yourself and you were the first thing they ever saw.

 

[luvmypets]

dang it.... they were friendly and then as they grew they got more scared. Idg it but I will try to make them comfortable with me at least.

 

[lilearthquake]

I agree for the most part. We went on vacation for 2 wks last summer and when I returned, my ducks were afraid of me. They'd gotten used to their fillin caretaker. It was sad for me. I started sitting with them in the run & talking to them. It wasn't long before they warmed up again. Eat out of my hand and just will sit beside me. Won't let me pet them anymore though.

Have 2 that went broody & had ducklings recently. Now they make sure I keep my distance. Hopefully this will ease as they get a little older.

 

[Espresso]

I would guess.... Treats. The ducks at our local park are incredibly social. Despite a dozen "don't feed the wild ducks" signs all over the place, they've clearly been fed and now the ducks love people.

 

[cowhlb]

we raised our ducklings since they were day olds. They are now over a year and scared of us. I read all these stories of ducks coming when called, and love being picked up. All I have to do is walk towards ours and they bolt. I don't get why they are afraid they loved to snuggle when they were babies but now they are scared to death if we walk in the coop. I just wish ours were a little friendlier... Thoughts

I would sit in their run so they would know you're not going to hurt them. When one comes in arms reach pick it up and stroke it.

 

[luvmypets]

Ok

 

[Richb353]

Hello,
I feed my ducks twice a day, breakfast and dinner, at 7am and 7pm respectively. I have found that they are much more friendly when they are hungry. I also try to feed them by hand as much as I can, it brings them in real close. Close enough to grab one. The females tend to be more shy and keep their distance. Except for the oldest female, she wiggles away when I grab her, but she doesn't make much effort to avoid capture either.

Anyway, as best you can, take your time to feed them by hand and they will get used to you. I notice the difference after a few days of hand feeding versus just flinging their food into the yard to forage. Not sure if I will ever get the flock that docile that they will sit on my lap or pet them, but they quack when I call them and will approach to a few feet. The sound of the lid coming off their food container brings them running as well.

Be patient and enjoy,
Rich

 

[luvmypets]

Thank you i will try that!