my baby ducks hate me..

[cow_girl]

So Ive got 18 chicks and 2 baby pekin ducks and the chicks are warming up to me just fine, but the ducks want nothing to do w/ me.. when I go in to clean there area in the brooder, they run to the back away from me, and If I pick one up, they freak.. even if I pick both up together they go nuts... Is there any way to make them like me?? Can I bribe the ducks w/ treats?? lol.. if they can have treats, what are they allowed to have??

 

[artsyrobin]

you need to handle ducklings alot in the first days, sit with them, i hold mine till they quit struggling- its easier of you sit on the floor with them- as far as treats, they love nibbling on a cabbage leafs

 

[chickboss]

Yes! Ducks can readily be bribed with treats! There is a link to a huge list of treats under the "sticky topic" at the top of this topic board, check it out. I wouldn't take it very personally. My experience so far is that they aren't exactly cuddly, but others here have had different experiences. My four Kahkis, who are outside now, act like they want nothing to do with me, unless I have treats or am about to refill the pool. LOL. But it may depend on breed a bit, and how many are raised together, individual personality, ect. The funny thing with those Kahkis of mine are that even though the act like they don't want anything to do with me, they tend to gravitate into my general area quite a bit. And since they are in a big yard behind the house right now, they tend to wander over to the gate when they here me talking on the porch. Silly ducks. I try to have a treat ready when they do it on their own. Just to let them know that I am the good guy. Just so you know though, even if yours do turn out like mine, they are still a blast to have. We love them, and just watching them act like ducks is a total joy. It seems to me that both chickens and ducks are prewired to be nervous about things comming from above, and with nearly everything we do, when they are in the brooder, we are moving into their space from above. I think that is part of the reason they tend to get so jumpy. I notice it lessoned a lot as they got more mature.

 

[JosieR]

I am new to ducks so check out anything I tell, because I'm not sure if I'm doing it right!

Mine seem nervous when we're over the brooder (I hadn't thought about it before but the other post makes so much sense!). We sit on the floor next to it and reach in, they still go crazy. We have started taking grass and ripping it up and they get so excited, they climb all over each other to eat out of our hands. We talk to them the whole time so they get used to us. I think they must have learned the sound of the door to the garage opening because the second we open the door they start peeping softly and standing up on their food tray to look for us.

My Cayugas seem more friendly than the khaki campbells or runners. The Cayugas will stand in the middle of the box while we pet them, drink water and just carry on while the only way to get the others to come near us is to bribe them with grass!

 

[vlapinta]

Mine are three weeks old. They were the same way at first. We kept taking each one out every day (three of them) individually and softly speaking to them and just letting them get used to our hands and us. Then we started finding what treats they love, which is kale, and only offering it from our hands. Now at three weeks they are still unsure and will scramble if we try to pick one up, but if we come over to them slowly they will all come over to where we are and try and peck at our hands with their bills looking for treats. It takes time and patience.

Vicki

 

[Hennyhandler]

Mine are sweeties but that may be because I started out spending almost every available minute with them and now I try but time slides by fast sometimes. Anyway, they will lay in my lap and sleep or climb up to my shoulder and sleep there. They will talk to me and take treats out of my hand all the time. One will put his head in my hand and fall asleep. I don't know if it is the breed, personality, or what but they are my babies and I love them.

 

[cow_girl]

thanks everyone... i guess i wouldnt want someone reaching into my house, and picking me up either, so that makes sense why there still unsure about us... ive started sitting on the floor with them, and letting them walk on me and they eventually calm down... at what age can you start giving them treats??... I have to check out the post on what treats are best for them and so on!.. thanks again!

 

[smurfboe]

I held each and every one of them for a minimum of 15 minutes in the morning and at night. They seem OK with me, but are still jumpy. However they always greet me when I come within sight of them.