keeping ducklings socialized?

[Duck mommy 2019]

i have two ducklings (khaki campbell) that are about a week old. right now they follow me around and are super friendly but i don’t want them to become less friendly as they get older. sadly i can’t bring them inside (i would have them inside all the time but i’m a teenager and have to listen to my parents rules) and i can only spend 3-4 hours with them a day. we are also planning on making diaper/harnesses to take them places with us so hopefully that helps. any tips?

also, does anyone else been able to keep their ducks social enough to follow them around and cuddle even when they are full grown?

 

[sourland]

Sometimes in their 'teen aged' phase they become a bit spooky, but frequent socialization should offset that.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Once they have accepted you as a member of their flock you will always be one.
However grown-up ducks often simply don't like to be picked up and petted, regardless how close of a friend you are. It is just their nature as a prey animal to be afraid of anyone picking them up (and stuffing them into a mouth) - i guess.
I had my ducklings in my home-office for almost a month and most of them are not afraid at all, but picking them up? Nope! Eating my fingers, yes with pleasure…

 

[DuckGirl77]

I would also say that if they're very friendly now that's a good sign for later on. Your time with them now is important too for socialization. Also bear in mind that personality plays a part (not that other ducks won't eventually get over their fear of people though.) My runner liked people from the beginning and still comes over to "talk" to me when I'm working around them. She's just always been my friendliest duck and I never had trouble getting her to like people. Some of my other girls were a little hesitant, especially about handling, but as long as you go at their pace, you'll earn their trust. Even with them though, all I had to do was bring over a bowl of peas and they would swarm me Definitely would recommend hand feeding treats!

Good luck with your duckies! My Khaki Campbell (in my avatar) was a very sweet girl so my experience with the breed has been good

 

[Raenh]

Speedy still let's me pick her up and cuddle her even now... sugar does sometimes - beedee is only a year so she comes to me still if she wants cuddles.
But I am not your normal pet/duck owner...