Mozart for the Duck's Mind...

[Mikanik]

If it existed, I think my Cayuga and Rouen ducklings could use this. My little gosling is pretty smart. She knows that when I reach in their pen it means something good! It's either snuggle time (like today...I've never had a 1 hour nap with a goose before! LOL), bath time fun, treats are being given, or we're going to go outside to play. She'll even cry if I leave the room. My ducklings....TOTALLY different! I reach and they run for it! Splashing in the water and peeping and quacking like they're being attacked, but once I finally get them they couldn't be better. They snuggle up with me, talk to me, give me love nibbles, sit on my chest and "groom" themselves (and me) and curl up by my neck or in the crook of my arm for a little snooze. If we're outside they'll follow me around just like I'm mama and if they see that I've walked a little too far away for comfort...Watch out! They come a-running like the devil himself is after them, until they are right by me. So I know they are somewhat fond of me.

They just seem to forget that I'm not a big scary monster *every* time they're taken out of their pen, if I reach in to give them fresh food/water or if we're outside and it's time to go back in....boy is *that* fun!

Anyone else find that their ducks/ducklings have a little bit of a memory problem?? Or are mine just "special"?

It's a bit funny now, but I do get a little concerned now and then about when they are bigger and living outside full time and when it's time to be locked up at night. I know my goose will be no problem, in fact she'll probably have to end up sleeping with me for the neighbors sake (thank heavens for Nettie...I'll be ordering a diaper harness soon for my Embden so keep a watch out if you read this! LOL) I just imagine my better half and I running around like crazies trying to herd to other two into their coop. Is there anything else I can do to get them acclimated to being picked up or not be so scared when I reach for them or into their pen? I've already switched them to a pen that I have to open from the side to get in so more on their level and I'm not coming down at them as I know that can be intimidating and scary for some animals. Any advice would be greatly appreciated....so would some stories from others that make me feel like I'm not the only one with forgetful duckies!

 

[Shiloh Acres]

My ducklings were always the same. Always crazy-scared when you reach in to pick them up, even if you do it six times a day, but pretty happy to cuddle and snuggle once you get them. When they grow up, they are pretty hands-off kinds of birds. They will happily run to you for food or treats, and some don't mind being handled when food is involved, but some shyer ones would rather not eat if they will be touched.

Incidentally, goslings raised in larger batches can be like this too, where I find goslings raised in small groups are more like babies in a crib, trying to get into your hands and climb out to you when you come to take them out.

I herded mine in at night. They DO get used to it and know what's expected, and most would go in without a fuss. During the training phase, arranging your coop and at least one fence (or preferably wall) is important. It's much better to kind of funnel them in and not wildly chase them around. I also discovered the magical pole. Any long pole -- I used a slim 4' PVC pipe transferred from hand to hand as needed and held out horizontal as kind of an arm extender. Raise the left arm -- ducks turn right. Raise the right arm -- ducks turn left. Herding ducks is easy. No need to stress them out. Let them move as a group because if the get separated you will have stress and chaos.

And if Mozart helps, please repost. But I'm betting they are just normal ducks.

 

[gofasterstripe]

Anyone else find that their ducks/ducklings have a little bit of a memory problem?? Or are mine just "special

Yep I sometimes get special ducks like that. Ive even had 1 that once you picked it up it puked up liquid all over me...now that is Special!!

 

[Mikanik]

gofasterstripe - Oy! I guess I shouldn't complain too much! I just get the everyday "Poop on daddy 'cuz i love him" ritual.

Shiloh - I kind of see my goose being like this all her life. I can barely leave the room w/out her crying bloody murder! One thing, however, is that the ducklings feed off my gosling, Happy, and vice versa. So I'm hoping that my Happy's reassurance & overall "love" for us will rub off on them. One can hope right??

We've just recently switched them to a LARGE playpen and they seem to be alot more comfortable/confident in it than they were in the enclosed wire dog kennel. A couple days after posting this topic my ducks actually started to act more comfortable with our loves. It may be that we've started associating our touch with treats and good little scratches.....I'm not sure, but something has changed anyway! They no longer run away....now we even get the neck rubs and love nibbles when we put our hand in the playpen from not only the gosling (who's always done it), but from the duckies too!

 

[Duckchick2011]

LOL, they sound like typical duckies...you could try simply moving slowly and talking to them while you enter.My ducklings seem to respond to my voice alot more positivly than they do my appearance.

In any case coming in at their level sounds like the right approach, ducklings have a natural fear of anything moving or "swooping" over their heads.