I am an animala cruelty investigator and we just need an undercover investigation on an illegal slaughter and sacrifice farm. I wanted to add two white ducks to our new property and so I bought two. They are maybe 8 weeks old and because of the enviornment very scared and in bad condition. I could have got babies but i know they require heatlamps etc and I am only at the property 4 days a week and my boss has said they are my responsibility. We do have a property manager when we are not there which is why I opted for older ducks. I really wanted to have these ducks as my lil shadows that are friendly and follow me around. I need advise on how to maybe not imprint but get them to be super close with me.. I need advice as these are my first ducks and I really want to have them as my babies
Thank you ...
That sounds like quite the sad situation, basically with ducks being prey animals their natural instinct makes them skittish and not to fond of being held/touched.
Time has always been the best thing, @ 8wks they won't imprint on you, that occurs at an early age. I find being around the ducks, filling pools, feeding, a few treats etc they will learn to trust you, how far they will come will vary, I have often brooded ducks in my house so they are held, swam in my bathtub and so forth but when put out in the big flock they often distance themselves and return to more flock like behaviour.
I'll give you a treat chart and wish you the best with these wee ones! love to see them, being white ducks they might be Pekin? i have a half dozen of them myself lol
