looking for advice on ducklings

[lauchpad]

Hello,
I was just wondering if anyone had advice about new ducklings. The mom is about a year old. This is her first successful hatching. We keep a male and a female rouen as pets and we decided to let them hatch a small amount of eggs each spring and give them away to good homes. I have left the ducklings with mom, they are only five days old. At first she let us touch the babies but now she is physically trying to attack us whenever we go near them. I want them to be people friendly but I also dont want to freak out the mom too much. So is this normal? And if we are planning to give the ducks away does anyone know when the right time to take them away is?

 

[Mashallaharabia]

The duck is trying to protect her young. YES of course it's normal. Don't worry, she can't hurt you ( no pointy beak like chickens), so just ignore her. I've been bitten many times by nest guarding mothers and it's nothing; no pinch, she can't break the skin, no problem. I'd sell the ducklings at about five weeks, when mostly feathered out with just a little down left. If you want them tame for some reason just handle the ducklings gently, and push the hen away.

 

[TLWR]

If you are selling them as pets, sell them young and let the new owners spend time so they are friendly

 

[lauchpad]

Ok awesome thank you both.There is only so much info I can find. I got my ducklings about 4 to 5 weeks old and they have warmed up to us by now but it took a long time and they are still a little stressed sometimes. I am going to give the mom a little more time with her babies and then give them to good homes.
thanks