Imprinting ducks???

[happy duck]

Hey guys!!!! I am getting ducks on Wednesday. They are coming from Metzer Farms, but because they have been handled will that affect them imprinting on me? I have never had them before and am sooo happy!!!!

 

[CarleeAnn]

I got my two ducks when they were about three days. The brooder was next to my bed and we were in a studio apartment so that almost always saw us which really helped them “imprint”. Just spend lots of time with them! I eventually had to sleep with my hand in the brooder or else they would cry for me.

 

[happy duck]

Thanks so much!!!

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I teach AP Biology and was surprised when we were studying imprinting. The information we had said that in the first 6-24 hours they imprint on the first large moving "species" that they see, not a person. They clearly get to know and trust a person later on, but imprinting has already happened when you get them, since the people who packaged them handled them. My first two ducks were shipped ducklings and they still love me and trust me more than my other three adults, which I hatched. I think it has to do with time spent, like CarleeAnn did. I spent more time with the first two. I currently have six 12 day old ducklings (offspring of the older ones) which I hatched in my classroom. I had my students hold them a lot the first couple of days. They are already very tame and follow me anywhere I go.

 

[happy duck]

Thanks so much! I was really hoping they would imprint on me. I have heard several people say they would imprint after 5 days, but some said only the first 24 hours. well a least they will still bond!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chickens really]

What happens is within the first 24 to 48 hours They human imprint or Momma Duck imprint..They don't actually imprint to just one human that quickly as they do to Momma Duck. It's safe to say if you spend lots of time with them day one when you receive them they will imprint to you..

 

[happy duck]

yay!!!!they are going to be here in just 1 hour.

 

[chickens really]

yay!!!!they are going to be here in just 1 hour.

Congrats...Best of luck with your feathered Puppies...

 

[happy duck]

Thanks!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Look forward to seeing the lil ones.