Naughty Aylesbury

[laurita1510]

Hi guys. I've got 3 ducklings about 9\10 days old, 2 khakis and an Aylesbury. The khakis are so loving and cry for cuddles and happily play with toys or just snuggle up but the Aylesbury is turning into something of a nightmare! It keeps jumping out of anything I put her in (except the cage)and wakes the other two up, its constantly restless on my lap but I'd I don't pick her up she cries persistently. She's also started biting and climbing us and trying to run away which makes it harder for the others. Her bites are starting to hurt now too!

Any advice on a naughty duckling if its possible to train it or is this just a character of the breed??

Laura

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Let it run around outside for a while.

 

[Amiga]

She does sound energetic - what about supervised tub time, water about the same temp as the brooder? Don't leave them alone in the water.

 

[Amykins]

I agree with the others, she might just be getting a bit cabin fever-y. Is she imprinted like the other two? Tub time should help her burn off her extra energy, and short bursts of play time outside the brooder is always a good idea. I didn't install hardwood floors downstairs for nothin'.

As for her running away when you try to pick her up, try to squat down instead of bend over. To a baby duck all they see is a looming figure and I think it triggers some sort of prey instinct or something. If you crouch down to their level, they get a lot less freaked out. And if all else fails....well, you'll always have peas!

 

[laurita1510]

Thanks guys. She loves tub time, they all do . are they too young for the garden?

 

[Debs Flock]

Pictures, pictures, we love pictures!

Not sure what your weather is like right now, but even short periods in the garden (with adult supervision) should be fine. You just don't want them to get chilled. At their young age, they aren't able to regulate their body temperature well. Also, don't let them eat anything that you aren't sure is safe for them.

 

[seashoreduck]

Let her run around outside of the brooder. I found that a "snapset" pool (soft bottom and semi-stiff sides) from Amazon allowed for a huge 'pen' for the ducklings to run all over. I scattered food and my more active ducklings spend hours chasing it around before they decided to snooze. I had a clippy heat lamp and attached it to a regular big lamp and so they could snooze when they wanted.

Some ducks are just more active and silly. I actually found that they loved to use me as a jungle gym and that satisfied them more than anything

 

[laurita1510]

They got about 6 hours of being out the brooder playing with toys, eating my feet lol and plying in the paddling pool I have and they are all worn out now. The test will be if she's still like or thus evening. *it's 17.20 here now*

 

[Debs Flock]

Hopefully all that play time did the trick. Thanks for sharing the photo! They're adorable!!