My pet ducks hate me

[dumnorix]

So we hatched 4 duck eggs from an incubator and they are now 2 weeks old but whenever we try to hold them they just get really scared and try to run away and when I pick them up and put them on my lap so I can stroke them,
They always try to escape and start screaming. How do I get them used to me and how do I get them to like me?

 

[hanjj033]

What may have happened is that the ducklings have imprinted on each other? So when you pick them up they get stressed being away from each other. Try holding two at the same time and see if they're more calm. Do you also spend much time with them? The more time you spend with them the more they will imprint on you. Try sitting on the floor or ground with them and letting them run around you. Have some food or treats to give them and keep them around you lots when you're doing stuff at home.
That said, there is a good chance they will become more skittish as they get older. I hand raised me ducklings but now that they're older they run away from me as opposed to following me around.

 

[Miss Lydia]

What may have happened is that the ducklings have imprinted on each other? So when you pick them up they get stressed being away from each other. Try holding two at the same time and see if they're more calm. Do you also spend much time with them? The more time you spend with them the more they will imprint on you. Try sitting on the floor or ground with them and letting them run around you. Have some food or treats to give them and keep them around you lots when you're doing stuff at home.
That said, there is a good chance they will become more skittish as they get older. I hand raised me ducklings but now that they're older they run away from me as opposed to following me around.

Very good advise.

Welcome to BYC! Both of you.

 

[Ovo Addict]

What kind of ducklings? We have 4 Khaki Campbells and have seen many places that they are a "nervous" breed. Some breeds, just like chickens, are better with and around people than others. The ladies are upset because they want to pick them up and cuddle (I have suggested they get a Barbie doll (

) but I get about the same response from them as from the ducks. We have held them from day one (6 weeks old now), and they will finally calm down if held, but they are too big (and fast) to chase now and have not been held in several weeks. I have come to the conclusion that they are just not as fond of me as I am of them.

If you know what breed they are, check this chart. http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparison.cfm


Good luck

 

[Amiga]

My Runners changed at 3 weeks from sweet and friendly to terrified. It is a phase some ducklings go through. With patience, not cornering them or picking them up unless necessary, and treats, and time, and just hanging out with them, I have a non-skittery, friendly, lovely flock. A few even like pets and hugs, but no one likes being picked up.

 

[dumnorix]

What kind of ducklings?  We have 4 Khaki Campbells and have seen many places that they are a "nervous" breed. Some breeds, just like chickens, are better with and around people than others. The ladies are upset because they want to pick them up and cuddle (I have suggested they get a Barbie doll hugs    ) but I get about the same response from them as from the ducks. We have held them from day one (6 weeks old now), and they will finally calm down if held, but they are too big (and fast) to chase now and have not been held in several weeks. I have come to the conclusion that they are just not as fond of me as I am of them. 

If you know what breed they are, check this chart. http://www.metzerfarms.com/DuckBreedComparison.cfm


Good luck 

The thing is, we don't actually know what breed they are because my brother just ordered random duck eggs online and it didn't say what breed they are.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The thing is, we don't actually know what breed they are because my brother just ordered random duck eggs online and it didn't say what breed they are.

Post some pics of them and we'll help you figure it out.

 

[dumnorix]

What may have happened is that the ducklings have imprinted on each other? So when you pick them up they get stressed being away from each other. Try holding two at the same time and see if they're more calm. Do you also spend much time with them? The more time you spend with them the more they will imprint on you. Try sitting on the floor or ground with them and letting them run around you. Have some food or treats to give them and keep them around you lots when you're doing stuff at home. 
That said, there is a good chance they will become more skittish as they get older. I hand raised me ducklings but now that they're older they run away from me as opposed to following me around.

Yeah I think they have cause every time we separate one of them from the other they all start screaming like crazy

 

[dumnorix]

Post some pics of them and we'll help you figure it out.

here they are

 

[Miss Lydia]

here they are

1 Blk Swedish 2 Blue Swedish 3 Cayuga and not sure on # 4 lets see what others say about them. Precious little ducklings though and to be so afraid of you you sure got some great pics.