I serioulsy need some help with this one!!

[Sooner Chic-en]

I have 6, 2wk old ducklings, now this is my 2nd set to raise, the first set I tried to tame but no luck. Now I have a brand new start what should I be doing to get them tame??? Even at this young age they seem skiddish... I really want some tame ducks!!!!

 

[lauralou]

It has been my experience that ducks aren't as lovey-dovey as chickens are. Mine are happy to see me, they follow me around, and take treats from my hand. But they don't want to be picked up and held the way that the chickens do.

Maybe others have different experiences than mine.

 

[WMDAVIS99]

I am new to ducks this year and have two males, a Cayuga and a Swedish. We have just handled them a lot and fed them lots of peas by hand.

They are still skittish when I am around them, they are terrified of my wife, but they let my daughter pick them up and pet them. Since the ducks are really hers, I am just fine with that.

From all I have read and seen it just takes time, and in some cases they may never come around. Bottom line is they are ducks, and not dogs.

Here is a video of them heading home after a day of play:

Here they are watching the dogs have some fun in the yard:

As you can see, the Ducks calm down, you just need to keep exposing them to stuff and they will learn to calm down, and trust you. As you can see in this video they are not even afraid of the crazy dogs.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
So why do you 'serioulsy need some help with this one!!" WOLF WOLF, What is the problem? Subjects that suggest help is needed when none is are PITA!

 

[1lpoock]

I've noticed that when raising ducklings and you have more than two...you pretty much will never get them to point that you can hold them....with two its even a stretch some times...it just depends on how you treat them and really what they decide about you. It is, however, very easy to tame a duck when you raise it by yourself...it gets attached to you and will let you do anything to it.

 

[Ashmeade]

I had two Pekin ducks as a child that were dog tame and raised 8 muskoveys for the barn owner where we boarded my horse and they followed me around and sat in my lap, etc.

Tried to get Pekins twice now and they never tamed out. That is why I prefer geese__hand raise them and they are almost like little children! VERY tame and interactive. (as long as they are not spoiled and taught manners).

 

[Goat_Walker]

I handle mine daily. Often going in and sitting with them. When ever I refil their water dish and they come scurrying for it I usually start at their tails and slowly work my way up with gentle petting. If you give them something big enought to swim in put your arm behind them so it bumps them, then slowly move it so it becoms a perch. My ducklings didnt even know it was me. Then I slowly stroked their chests.

Another thing is just sitting with them and mumbeling nonesense like a lonely hobo. Talk to them and offer treats while you talk.

You can also get them associated with a bowl for food. so that everytime they see this bowl they know what is comming and get excited for it. Use that to your advantage and make them follow you. Say " come on guys" Or what ever you want their come command to be and when they follow you put the bowl down so they can get a mouthful or two - but no more. Then repeat.


Hope this helps

 

[L0rraine]

Goat-Walker - sounds like you really love your ducks. Mine are getting more focused on me delivering the food bowl, but you really take full advantage of those moments! You have lucky ducks

 

[Le Canard de Barbarie]

Quote:
So why do you 'serioulsy need some help with this one!!" WOLF WOLF, What is the problem? Subjects that suggest help is needed when none is are PITA!

You replied to someone who was not the original poster.

 

[Goat_Walker]

Quote:
Thanks

I love my ducks and Im really trying to keep them handleable, seeing as most of my adults at the moment are more wild than tame due to being rescues or the offspring of my wild rescues. Im learning as I go since no one around here has any ducks - and if they do they are yard decorations or used for meat

Use that food bowl focus as much as you can, so that thy can associate you with the yumminess. lol. It might take a little longe than you would like but it teaches you patience. Most of my ducks I either get as adults or they arre born here, so usually when I sell them they are handleable and more kid friendly.