my ducks are afraid of me

[Julielynn810]

Hi all!

I love my ducks, but they are super jumpy. They're Welsh Harlequin, don't know if that matters. I keep seeing cuddly duck photos on Instagram but my ducks HATE to be picked up and always run from me. They will eat out of my hand and sometimes sit nearby as long as I'm very still. I spend a lot of time with them and I've had them since they were 3 days old. They're 9 weeks old now.

Any advice? or will they grow to like me more as they get older?

 

[CrystaBub]

9 weeks old is when they are in their scaredy stage - mine went through that too. As long as you don't chase them and continue to interact with them regularly, they will likely come around and maybe even sit in your lap for those cuddly pictures one day! They sure are beautiful - i don't have any but I love WH and yours are truly gorgeous!

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[chickens really]

I never handle my Ducks and mine come running if I Quack loud for then...

 

[CrystaBub]

I never handle my Ducks and mine come running if I Quack loud for then...

We need a video of that!

 

[kbandrews]

I have 3 Runners that are 23 weeks old and I'm just 'food guy' and 'hey let me out of the pen guy', but I'm hoping for better interaction once I have more time to sit with them. They watch me through the windows. My previous 'flock' was more cuddly but not 'climb-on-your-lap cuddly.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have just a few of my Runners that will eat out of my hand no way would they climb into my lap. I only have 1 duck who will climb into my lap. My Muscovy drake Opie!

 

[Table4Six]

I never handle my Ducks and mine come running if I Quack loud for then...

I also quack for my ducks, as weird as it sounds. If you learn the rhythm and meanings of their voices, you can communicate with them. Through vocally communicating with my ducks I have been able to bond with them, creating a strong relationship of trust to the point to where they view me as a part of the flock. Also, as others have stated, your ducks are at that flighty age which they all go through as they grow, but they should grow out of it very soon. Treats are a great way to gain trust as well. Good luck with your beautiful flock.

 

[Jpat]

I thaught i was the only one. I cam whisle just like a duckling when it cant see its friend. They respond to it like crazy

 

[Table4Six]

I thaught i was the only one. I cam whisle just like a duckling when it cant see its friend. They respond to it like crazy

You're definitely not the only one. When I'm raising mallard derived ducklings, I quack for them so they treat me as their mother and follow me without me having to carry them everywhere. It's good exercise for the babies as long as you don't over do it and also creates an early bond of trust.