My ducklings think I ate their friends

[Mish]

Received 14 ducklings from Holderread last Wednesday.

One person who split the order picked up 9 on Friday... so 5 left

Another person picked up 3 on Sunday... so 2 left

They are terrified of me now.

. They run to the corner and shake when they see me. It is only since the other 3 went to their home, so it seems they think I eat ducklings. I'm trying to move slow and stay lower to not be as intimidating when I clean them / change the water and food. Are there any special treats I can give them at 1 week old so they forget they hate me? Any other suggestions?

 

[katharinad]

Peas!!!!
Puree some up for them.
Katharina

 

[sourland]

They don't "hate you". You've taken away their flock security. The larger the flock the greater their sense of security. There's the solution. You must get more ducks.

 

[Mish]

Quote:
Sourland, I like that idea too much. If either of the other people had waited longer to pick them up.... I would have 14 ducks that I would refuse to give up. I keep telling myself that 2 are easier to clean and feed and take to the boat for long weekends.

I will give them peas every day until I am their flock or I am cleaning up too much green. Starting tomorrow because I don't have peas.

 

[Horsefly]

Wow your brooder looks way to clean in all those pictures lol. Cute ducks, the way to their heart is through thier stomachs. Don't worry if they run now. I found that mine kind of mellowed some as they got older.

 

[NoseyChickens]

Seriously, did you photo shop that picture? Where's the poop? I got my 11 runners from Holderreads Tuesday, they never stop pooping! I love them so.

 

[RedfogsFlock]

Quote:
Yup I agree more ducks! We made it a point to hold ours more too. Now our little babies follow us around when we're out in the coop with them.

 

[Wokawidget]

3 weeks ago I got a single runner duckling.
3 hours drive home and she wouldn't come anywhere near my hand and shook in the corner of the box.
Got her home into a purpose made straw filled home.
She was still terrified of me.
Thought she might be hungry and thirsty so provided her with food from my hand and water from a cup that I held.
Within 5mins she was peeping happily and I was her new best friend.

I work from home and today is cold, so she's sat at my feet in a fluffy dog basket while I work on the computer and loves being stroked and her beak played with every now and again.

Feeding from the hand is always a winner when it comes to befriending any animals.

woka

 

[FenDruadin]

Mine always get really upset when they go from a bunch of babies to only a few. It's scary for them--they think there's a big bad predator out there picking off their siblings, and they're terrified that they're next.

They'll calm down when they figure out that no one else is disappearing.

And yes, also, they feel more secure in a larger group. But they'll be won over with treats, no worries.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
And the BYC tradition of enabling continues! (Don't tell your current babies that ducklings are tasty when roasted.)