New Duck Owner....need help!

[gibbie_5]

Hi all,

This is my first post here, and I'm hoping to find some friendly, willing people to help me along the way as I raise the first ducks I've ever had.

What I have:

Two Rouen
Two Khaki Campbell
Two Pekin

What I've done:

I currently have them inside my house (unfinished basement) in a stock tank with a heat lamp, food, and water. Their chips are replaced daily as well as their water and food. They're quite happy as of now. I have brought them upstairs a few times to let them swim, and they seem to really enjoy that.

What I've learned:

They don't like me....every time I go down to see them, which is a few times a day, they act like I'm there to slaughter them. They're getting big and faster than greased lighting and I'm wondering if this is normal. I see many grown ducks in youtube videos that are very calm, and follow their owners around. Am I doing something wrong??

Other questions I have:

1. I've had them for almost three weeks now. At what point will they be good to go outside? And when they DO go outside, will they run away and never come back? (I have a dog that's a runner...so I'm a little paranoid about pets leaving me!)

2. I have a pond that's about a 1/2 acre, with an island in the middle. If I set them free in the pond, will they stay? Or will I need to provide them shelter to sleep, lay eggs, and get away from predators?

3. How do I get them to like me?? I hold them gently, "pet" them, talk to them, sit with them, etc. and they just seem to be terrified of me. Will this get better with age?

LASTLY....if you had a home setup like mine (see pic attached), how would YOU set up to successfully raise these ducks?? I feel like I have the ideal setup, with 5 acres, a private road with zero traffic, and a pond that is sheltered from pretty much everything. I am open to suggestions, help, and encouragement. I don't want to mess this up!!

 

[Nyla]

In order to tame a duck, you must spend lots of time handling each one. Always try to use slow movements near them. Try sitting with them for about an hour a day and try not to move when they approach you. Try hand feeding them some treats.

It's best to put them outside when fully feathered at round 6-8 weeks old.

The breeds you have can't fly, so they shouldn't leave. Ducks tend to stay near the location they grew up in. They will need a shelter to stay in and lay their eggs. You will also need to feed them still once released.

As the ducklings get older, they might grow to be calm around you. Just will take a lot of socializing.

If I had your setup, I would put duck coops on the water. There are floating duck coops you can buy.

 

[gibbie_5]

In order to tame a duck, you must spend lots of time handling each one. Always try to use slow movements near them. Try sitting with them for about an hour a day and try not to move when they approach you. Try hand feeding them some treats.

It's best to put them outside when fully feathered at round 6-8 weeks old.

The breeds you have can't fly, so they shouldn't leave. Ducks tend to stay near the location they grew up in. They will need a shelter to stay in and lay their eggs. You will also need to feed them still once released.

As the ducklings get older, they might grow to be calm around you. Just will take a lot of socializing.

If I had your setup, I would put duck coops on the water. There are floating duck coops you can buy.

What is a good treat for ducklings? I've tried putting their food in my hand, and even dumped some on the ground next to me and sat for a while with them but they don't seem interested. What should I use for a treat?

 

[Nyla]

Mealworms! They love them!

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

Welcome to BYC
I need to upgrade my duck enclosure at the moment but that probably won’t happen for a few months. My other enclosure wasn’t that large and the ducks began to get cramped.

A duck coop with a mesh floor would be useful so you don’t have to struggle cleaning up the duck manure. Also you should make sure the ducks have plenty of space in it, you don’t want them getting cramped. You would have to lock them up every night so predators can’t get them. That’s all I have for now.

 

[gibbie_5]

Mealworms! They love them!

Dried? Or live?

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

By the way the duck coop is raised above ground.

 

[Nyla]

Either is fine. Most people feed them dried. I grow my own and always feed mine alive.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Ducks are on the menu for many preditors. As a result, they are nervous creatures, especially when you reach down from above and snatch them. Approaching them slow, from the side and underhanded helps.
The other key is treats, lots of treats. Thawed frozen peas, dried meal worms, lettuce, dandelion greens, etc. fed from your hand will make them look forward to seeing you.
They do go through an especially skittish stage around this age so don’t get discouraged. Just sitting with them or by them will help them learn to trust you. Good luck!

 

[chickens really]

Hello, all Ducklings go through a stage I call Gingerbread Man syndrome..They run from you like your a Duck killer.
I use a Covered Dog Run and an insulted Dog house and only fire range as I watch over them. Once you bring in Birds, you also invite predators too..