Our ducklings are three weeks old and we'd like to let them out of the brooder to play in the grass. But we're worried that they won't come back "home" if we do that. We haven't handled them very much, so they're not tame. Any suggestions? We want them to be tame, but not sure how to accomplish that. Thanks.
you could make a temporary "run" for them. a small one would suit them cause they are so small still. Just stake down some chicken wire or a cage with no bottom in it, if they are small enough cut the bottom out of a box and set the box in the yard and let em play. i bet they'd love the grass!! You can tame them down but you do have to put the time in handling them so that they calm down and get used to you. hope this helps!
you should hold them and talk to them. sounds crazy talking to animals but i do it and they all love me im the momma and im the one they all trust wanted to add when i talk to tthe i say little dudes!! im sure there are some girls in there to but its like saying hello! you should also pick each one up and pet it a few times and then move on to the others. i have 6 baby ducks and they (even the baby chicks) follow me any where. i just say come on little dudes and they run after me.
okay, thanks! are they okay being outside for short periods even on coolish days (65 degrees or so) at this age of three weeks? or will they get cold?
you can also herd them back. walk behind them and move your arm in the opposite direction you want them to go. you can also use a stick if they aren't afraid of your arms flapping around! lol. don't move too fast when herding them back otherwise you'll have terrified ducks running around like crazy!
At 3 weeks for a little while they will be fine. Here is how I herd my ducks... Grab the one that is the least skittish, the other one follows because it can't stand to be separated from its bff
Ducklings should be imprinted just after hatching- or within a day or two or three. but you can still teach them a little. Take them out one at a time and sit them on your feet and use a noise (i use 'duckduckduck' all slurred together) that they can associate with you and to learn your voice. Keep them at your feet, as soon as they move away push and shove them gently back onto your feet (or between your feet) repeat. repeat. repeat. After a dozen times or so step away and make that same noise you were all along. they should follow you- if not, scoop them up and start over. Carry them alot, hold them a lot and offer them food often. Ducks are quick with this sorta thing and they'll pick it up after a time or two. As for going outside, make them some sort of run, or section off an area outside for them. Or- in a pinch, just invert a large laundry basket and put it over them and a rock on top.
Quote:AHAHAHA!!! when my ducks were little, we would grab one, carry it away from the pack and then put it down and watch them run as fast as they could to reunite. it was funny watching baby ducks run!
In addition to the suggestions already given, it would help to hold feed in your cupped hands and let the ducks eat out of them.
A corn trail and a few handfuls thrown down in the pen usually work well. Do that each time and then you only have to rattle the can of corn and get out of the way! They will stampede over you!
