Is it ok?

[ksmith]

I have two mallard duckling and I was wondering if it is ok to let them nibble on my fingers? It's so cute and feels so funny! Will it teach them bad habits? Also what do you use for a pond? Most people say a plasic kiddie pool but that doesn't seem like it would last very long and be difficult to clean. Thanks

 

[featherfinder]

Nibbling on the finger is bad. It may be cute now but all it is teaching them is that it is ok to do that and when they get bigger and try to do it, it hurts alot more.

If yoou grab the side of their head gently and tell them no and constantly keep up with it, they will eventually learn.

My ducks also are inside ducks so they use our bath tub most of the time to swim for about an hour a day. On the weekends I have a small kid pool of which i let them play in and they really seem to love it.

hope this helps

 

[Amiga]

I let my runners nibble on my fingers - never has one of them hurt me, and they are now 14 months old.

I use a concrete mixing pan for swimming. Works great - most of the year we use just one, in the hot times we have two. I have ten runners.

 

[TLWR]

Meh, my runners still nibble on my fingers when I hand feed treats. They also nibble on my toes when I'm not wearing shoes or have on sandals.
I've found they are gentler now than they were when they were a couple of months old and would hurt my fingers when grabbing peas from me.

 

[Duckchick2011]

My mallards like to nibble on my lips, ears, neck, fingers, toes, shirt, and just about everything that is within their reach to peck. I started blowing in their faces and saying no, it seemed to help alot, but they still get a peck in every now and then.

 

[gofasterstripe]

Elliot and Gemini were a menace when they were little they didnt just beak me, they grabbed and yanked. Many a time I was lying on the floor in the spare room with them and they would get me, or I would have my eyes closed and when it all went quiet I would open my eyes and nearly get it pecked out. I soon learned to squint when I was at their level but the nipping was a no no and they would get a tap on the bill and told NO!! Not that they ever listened to me...typical boys

 

[Louise's Country Closet]

I have Rouens who like to nibble my fingers and they're over a year old - it doesn't hurt at all lol.

 

[Quacking]

If you want your ducks to eat from your hands when they are older making sure they arent afraid of them is important. Let them nible your fingers but if they peck too hard or hurt just remove your hand rather than try to reprimand them which can scare them ultimately making them nervous of your hands or you in general. Ducklings are very inquistive by nature and will nibble on anything they see as worth exploring. But negative reaction to biting your fingers now could make them more nervous later when you want them to approach your hands even when holding food.

 

[ksmith]

Quote:
Very well said! I want them to be friendly but nice