New Duck Owner!! Help Please!!!

[StarlynMarie]

Along with four chicks, we have recently purchased two ducklings from the same feed store that sold us the chicks.

While one of us owned a duck (much older than a week or two) before, we've never had this breed before. We have Mallards (the BIG breed), we believe they are both girls but are still unsure. Anyway.

Misha and Cas are...quite the characters. But, since bringing them home about a week ago, they are still very frightened of everything. Being handled, placing a food/water dish in their temporary home, etc. I think they might still be in shock from having been shipped and then brought to a new home all in the same day (within a matter of a couple hours), though I'm not sure.

They have warmed up a little bit; while they still freak out considerably if picked up (and separated even if only for a few seconds) they will drink from their water dish and go ham on the shredded lettuce while I'm hovering over their home, and they eat peas out of one of our hands for the moment.

They seem happy to be in the tub with a little water and lettuce. But we can't keep them in there all day every day.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to maybe socialize them and get them to come out of their shell a little bit. If this continues, we may have to return them to the feed store. Which we really don't want to do. I could care less if they followed us around or jumped in our laps, but we would eventually like to put them with our chicks when they're all older and have it so when they get picked up, they don't scream like we're trying to kill them.

I think they're just overdramatic babies with too much sass. But that's just me.

Can anyone help or tell me what we may be doing wrong?

Thank you!

 

[Kaliisgreen]

most ducks, even the friendliest ones, don't like being picked up because having their feet off the ground freaks them out. unfortunately they might not ever like being picked up, but if you spend lots of time with them, get them their food and water and just stick around them often they'll probably learn to be okay with your presence and be fine around or near you. however if they have already found that they don't like being picked up, it's best not to pick them up because continuing to do something that scares them will probably make them unfriendly.

 

[picky]

Hi!
that behavior that you describe is totally normal, they are animals and they are not as extrovert if I can use that world, as chickens. Although some breed like pekins may be more outgoing and will get close and eat from your hand some pekins will not. Duckling are nervous little fussy guys, and I guess at this point they still frightened by their sorrounding. I took care of two Rouens this year, every single night I will put them in my lap or my baby laps and they will climb up to my neck and stay in between my hair. I always said they were trying to hide. My two years old hold them in his lap under my supervision and he did a good job caressing them gentle till they will stay still and sometimes asleep. Now they are about 3 months old and they dont get close to me or whatsover but they arent scared at least. One of my pekins is the only one from my flocks that eat and hang close to me. Every duck is individual with different personalities, you have to embrace them as they are, otherwise I think maybe ducks are not your thing. But I encourage you to give them a second chance and let yourself experience how fun they can be.

 

[Amiga]

A number of ducklings do go through a phase of being very nervous around people. But with understanding and patience, they can get through it and become quite friendly.

My ducks do not like being picked up. But all are friendly, and a few even like some pets and hugs. They went through a time they were terrified of me. It was heartbreaking.

But people here on the Duck Forum explained that it's a developmental phase - a survival instinct. So I approached them talking gently to them before I came into sight so I would not frighten them. Remember, predators approach silently. And from above. And corner them. So those things will instill fear.

Sitting near them, setting treats within their reach, singing to them, just hanging out with them made a tremendous difference, long term.

I have Runners that I raised from day-olds.

The Buffs I adopted as adult rescues are a little more standoffish (except for Romy - she is quite friendly, but not huggy). They are sweet, though, and will contentedly stay within 5 feet of me.

 

[krista69]

Can yiu keep ducks with chickens and do they eat the same foods? I have been wanting to get a couple but wanted to find out an answer to these. two questions first.

 

[picky]

Can yiu keep ducks with chickens and do they eat the same foods? I have been wanting to get a couple but wanted to find out an answer to these. two questions first.

I was raised in a farm, back in my country. Mi granny keep ducks, chicken, guineas (type of black meat bird that make a lot of noise) all together, and they all can eat corn. So basically it is a yes to your two question. I will say always keep an eye on them. Just in case. But they should be good together.

 

[krista69]

Thank you for the information.