my duck is scared of me

[katiebugmae]

I got my duck at 2-3 weeks old and he is a khaki cambelled duck and every time I try to pet him he runs away and gets scared what do you thinks I should to to make him like me with out stressing him out

 

[MichelleL64]

My khakis are pretty skittish and don't like to be pet. Try giving treats, mine love peas. They also really like kale and mealworms.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

I got my duck at 2-3 weeks old and he is a khaki cambelled duck and every time I try to pet him he runs away and gets scared what do you thinks I should to to make him like me with out stressing him out

What conditions are the duck experiencing otherwise? It could be nervous over many things, including being alone if it's your only duck. I've seen Campbells classified as "nervous" ducks, but that was never my experience with mine. I had a female that would force herself into my lap if I had treats that were going to a duck other than her.

You're probably just going to need to be patient, talk to it quietly, and give healthy treats like Michelle said. A 2-3 week-old duck isn't the same as a human infant. It's really more like adopting a human child that's around 12 years old and already has all its own ideas and habits. It's still getting used to being with you, and that's completely normal.

 

[katiebugmae]

I have try that he will come up to the treat get it and take off I try to give it to him only when he stays but he's to fast and takes of with it

 

[katiebugmae]

I got him for a duck I found in my pond for a companion duck he's not long but I just put in so saving in a box for him so he with get used to something touching it

 

[JadeComputerGal]

I have try that he will come up to the treat get it and take off I try to give it to him only when he stays but he's to fast and takes of with it

LOL. It sounds like you have a duck that's acting like a duck, and that's not what most of us want in our pet ducks. We want them to act like dogs with feathers.

I promise you it will get at least somewhat better if you're patient. It will realize that you're not a threat, and that you're the source of its food, water, and treats. It takes time to develop trust when you acquire a duck that old.

 

[katiebugmae]

My only other duck I have that is a Cayuga duck was very good and never ran away from me now runs away from me as soon as I got the khaki

 

[Muscovynmore]

It sounds like you already have a good start, if it takes food from your hand. If it's doing that, it'll start sticking around to get more soon. I would suggest not trying to pet it until it is perfectly comfortable around you - touching can add a new level of fear, and you don't want to scare it any more.

As a word of encouragement, I don't bother trying to tame my Muscovies until they're around that age. And even though they're addicted to food by then, it still takes a week or two to build up trust.

 

[katiebugmae]

It sounds like you already have a good start, if it takes food from your hand. If it's doing that, it'll start sticking around to get more soon. I would suggest not trying to pet it until it is perfectly comfortable around you - touching can add a new level of fear, and you don't want to scare it any more.

As a word of encouragement, I don't bother trying to tame my Muscovies until they're around that age. And even though they're addicted to food by then, it still takes a week or two to build up trust.

Thanks for the help I will tell y'all if it work

 

[prettychicky]

LOL. It sounds like you have a duck that's acting like a duck, and that's not what most of us want in our pet ducks. We want them to act like dogs with feathers.

I promise you it will get at least somewhat better if you're patient. It will realize that you're not a threat, and that you're the source of its food, water, and treats. It takes time to develop trust when you acquire a duck that old.

I was curious if you could explain why my 2 ducks are scared of us? They are two months old maybe even more and they still run from us and won't come even if I have treats.I fill up the kiddie pool too, to let them swim but they just want to sit in the corner of the yard. I bought frozen peas and they ate them, but only if I walked away. I've had them well over a month. It sucks cause they're so cute. Although the sister picks on my one month old duck(maybe a lil older, idk what age tractor supply sells them, someone told me @ 2 weeks. I he/she back with the smaller chicks and ducks, they seem to be a lil family) I did have the 2 shy ones with my chickens while they were babies, and they are still with the chickens now. They don't fight but they don't eat they're food while the chickens are in the coop.. maybe theyre scared cause they see me as the chickens ally? Lol. I would appreciate you're advice very much, thank you!