khaki's advice needed

[kelly3380]

Hi all, I'm new to duck keeping and got my first 3 khaki Campbells just over a week ago. I could do with a little advice on how to calm them down. I've read they can be nervous and skittish so don't expect them to eat out of my hands or anything like that. My intention os to let them free range but at the moment we have sectioned off some of the garden until I feel they wont do a runner and not come back lol. When we go onto the garden they run into their coop (they do come back out after a minute) same if we go anywhere near their run. Will they calm down in time or is there anything I can do so they wont be so scared of me? Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[kelly3380]

Oh forgot to add they're 5 months old

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi all, I'm new to duck keeping and got my first 3 khaki Campbells just over a week ago. I could do with a little advice on how to calm them down. I've read they can be nervous and skittish so don't expect them to eat out of my hands or anything like that. My intention os to let them free range but at the moment we have sectioned off some of the garden until I feel they wont do a runner and not come back lol. When we go onto the garden they run into their coop (they do come back out after a minute) same if we go anywhere near their run. Will they calm down in time or is there anything I can do so they wont be so scared of me? Thanks in advance for any advice

Welcome to BYC

Best way to make friends with ducks is to spend time with them just being calm and talking quietly. Bring along some thawed little green peas or dried meal worms and begin by tossing into their pool if they are in it or just on the ground, if you take your time and keep it up you'll have them eating out of your hand in no time.

 

[kelly3380]

Thanks for your reply

I take them peas every morning when I loose them out but they wont come out their coop until Im out the way lol. They're comical really, if I go into their run whilst they're outside their coop, they flap about and hide in the corner. I wasn't sure if I was doing right by going in there (making them more scared of me)

So I assume its normal behavior and need to be patient

Thanks x

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for your reply

I take them peas every morning when I loose them out but they wont come out their coop until Im out the way lol. They're comical really, if I go into their run whilst they're outside their coop, they flap about and hide in the corner. I wasn't sure if I was doing right by going in there (making them more scared of me)

So I assume its normal behavior and need to be patient

Thanks x

It is natural for them to be wary but they will get use to everything eventually. Your on the right path.