Imprinting

[archil]

I bought some ducklings three days ago and I was just reading about imprinting
They are about two weeks old
Are they too old to imprint on me?
They're quite skittish around me now
Will I be able to make them more tame, or will they be like this always?

 

[Kevin565]

They can become more tame around you over time but yes they are already past the imprinting stage.

 

[archil]

aw boo

 

[archil]

does it have to be right from when they're hatched or is there like, a period of time where i can force myself into their lives?
like in the first week or what?

 

[jdywntr]

To have friendly ducklings, you need to spend alot of time with them, handling them etc. They don't have to imprint on you to be friendly.

Regardless, they all go through an "I'm scared of everything" period. Breed also plays a part as some breeds are more skittish and others more friendly.

I got a ducklings once that had been raised inside and was VERY attached to people. It was about 3 weeks old when I got it and I considered having a house duck. I don't have the patience, ducklings are very needy. I moved him outside with my older ducklings and he bonded with them very quickly and became less friendly with me, which was fine with me.

 

[Onewiththeducks]

Ducks are naturally "prey" animals and will always be a bit skittish. Some breeds are more skittish than others. What breed of ducklings do you have?

 

[archil]

I have muscovys
Im in contact with a breeder at the moment for some day old birds, and I may be able to trade these

 

[jdywntr]

I have to ask, why are you so interested in them imprinting on you?

 

[archil]

I'm buying them as pets
So i want them to be as friendly as possible
That's why I got these ones young
But I'm having a lot of trouble, even at this age
So I thought it would be easier to have them imprint on me straingt away.

 

[jdywntr]

As onewithducks said, they are prey animals and you are HUGE to them. I got my current muscovy at 3 months and never handled them outside of wing clipping etc. While I wouldn't consider them pet friendly, they do come up and will eat of my hand etc.

Even with day olds, they need to be handled alot to ensure that they are friendly.