New Magpie Ducklings! Awwwwwwww... *NEW PICS ADDED!*

[Llysse]

How dare you post those cute pictures here?!!!

My husband will kill me if I start on ducks, too... but I'm in love...

 

[chookness]

Hello everyone. This is my first post. I had a hard time activating. I have eight chickens around 8 weeks old and two Indian runner ducks about 5weeks old. The ducks are so funny to watch,but I am a little disappointed with them. They are so shy and high strung that I have a rough time putting them in at night. They don't even want me near them. They stick together like siamese twins. I had a Pekin a few years ago and he loved being with us inside or out. I guess one duck attaches to you better. Has anyone else had this experience with Runners?

 

[mlheran]

Quote:
LOL, that's how I got hooked too! Well, seeing adorable duck pictures and then watching my neighbor's Pekins waddle down to dabble in the ditch these past months. If you can't have any I warn you not to see any in person -they are irresistable!!! And the noises!

Okay, I'm probably not helping at all... sorry!

 

[mlheran]

Hi chookness -welcome! These Magpies are my first ducks, so I'm afraid I can't help you with the Runners. Try posting your comment in the "Other Poultry" section so some experienced people can help you out. You also might try the "search" feature in the top bar to look through previous posts about Runners. Good luck!

 

[Duck-Madx]

Quote:
I have known from past experiences, that Indian Runners are a very shy breed.
Even if you have hatched them yourself. They take alot of spending time with to bond with them, and if you keep trying they will eventually get used to you.
When Did you first get your indian runners, at what age?
If it wasn't at a very young age, or you didn't hatch them, meaning they have grown up elsewhere. Have you only recently got them? They might still be quite shocked with the change etc.
But im sure over time they'll get to grips about when they need to go in at night etc. When i had my indian runners, and went to put them in for the night, they'd often already be inside wiaitng for me to lock them up.
They didn't do this striaght away of course.
So just have patience.

And mlheran, your ducklings are just so adorable.
Good Luck with them.

 

[chickenlisa]

oh they are so cute! I love their little feets too! I have 6 new baby ducklings also. How do you know that they are male or female? I bought mine at Global Agway here in NJ and the the girl seemed to just know by looking which was which. I asked for 3 Blue Swedish females or at least 2 girls and 1 boy, and the same for 3 Cayugas. I know there are 3 and 3 of the breeds but have no idea if they are girls or boys. She didn't do anything except look at their size and heads. No clever sexing tricks done at the store. I hope she knew what she was doing! They are so cute though and they are about 4 days old now.I got them on Friday morning, and I think they were born on Thursday and came from Mt Healthy Hatchery.
Lisa

 

[Critter Crazy]

Quote:
Depending on how long you have had them, they will need time to adjust. the best way I have found to get ducks to like me, was to just take some time, and sit in the yard with them. offer treats. Just sit, read a book or something, so your presence is not intimidating. they will come around. Good luck

 

[mlheran]

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They came sexed from the hatchery (Ideal). One of the clerks at the feedstore pointed out that the male had a dark area just above his bill, and said that that meant it was male. But another clerk was talking too and I couldn't tell if she meant that it had a dark spot naturally, or if the hatchery had marked it temporarily like that. Either way, he still has a dark spot above his bill and with all the splashing he's been doing if it had been an ink mark it would've been gone by now!

But I'm not sure if that's something that applies only to Magpies, or if it's even true at all. I've been trying to look at duckling photos, but so far I can't spot any males with dark spots so...

Good luck with your duckies -be sure to post some pics!

 

[chickenlisa]

Here are some pix...they are afraid of us so far...they all huddle up when they hear us coming. Anyway-there are 3 Cayugas and 3 Blue Swedish.

Hope that works.
Lisa

 

[mlheran]

Such adorable duckies, chickenlisa!!

They grow like weeds, don't they.

As far as sexing, I was reading today that you can vent-sex ducks and geese at any age -so if you're up to it you might try that to find out what you have. Otherwise you'll have to wait until their proper feathers come in and look for the curly tail feather of the drake.

So cute, spend lots of time with them and they'll look forward to your approach!