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[suburbanredneck]

Hello everyone. We have had chickens in the past and wanted to have them again this year. Over the Winter we have researched ducks and found this forum. So many people posted positive things about ducks that we decided to give them a try. We purchased 20 chickens and 14 ducks. For the first week the ducks ate from our hands. I missed 1 day of hand feeding and from that moment on they ran away scared. They are now 7 weeks old and when we approach they trample each other as they run away. They are the messiest creatures we have ever owned. They make the water filthy within minutes. They soak the hay in the coop. They make chickens look like neat freaks. The chickens are mellow. Nothing spooks them. They run up to us. Eat from our hands and even occasionally jump on our hands as they feed. The ducks want nothing to do with us. We know 2 other households that also tried ducks this year and they have the same complaints. Their ducks are messy, anti-social and poop when picked up. I can only assume that when someone gets only 1-2 ducks and hand raises them from the start that they end up with a friendly and social duck. I truly hope they outgrow this phase and become tame as they age, otherwise we will have duck for dinner until we are left with only chickens.

Any advice?

 

[Snownoir]

I'm curious, what was their application supposed to be for you? For instance, my ducks are to eat flies, keep the grass mowed (not tear it up like the chickens did), supply entertainment, and supply yummy food. Are you wanting feathered companions? I don't say that in jest or to be rude, I'm genuinely curious what your expectations are/were from the ducks.

From reading this forum before switching to ducks, I never got the impression that they'd be neater or more friendly than chickens. I knew to expect mess. Especially the water business. Ducks = messy water. Ducks = looser poop. BUT its easier to rinse off of things.

It's been advised that they're housed separately than chickens. What kind of space do they have during the day? Are they confined to a coop and run? What kind do you have? Are you accustomed to large number of poultry? That many waterfowl to start off with can be a little overwhelming.

Pooping when picked up is usually a sign of fear/anxiety. Don't pick em up. Crouch around them, sit or lay down in the yard so that you're not this towering beast and continue to give them treats. With that large number, they've bonded with each other. And the odds of them bonding with you, like you're one of the flock isn't likely. BUT, they can become less flighty if you're calm around them, have yummy foods, represent good things (not being picked up), and come down to their level. My 15 ducklings will crawl on my feet at feeding time, but won't let me touch them otherwise. And I don't really care. They're a blast to watch and touching them doesn't add anything to our relationship, as its not in their nature to be picked up. Kind of like my rabbits. They love me, love being pet, scratched, rubbed, whatever. But try to pick one up.... not so much. Some may tolerate it, but they're just tolerating it.

When I find myself disappointed in something, I readjust my expectations and look at application of use. Once I know what it is I'm wanting, I find I'm more realistic with my expectations, and thus, I enjoy myself much more (I'm NOT implying that you were realistic, I'm only speaking for myself).

 

[suburbanredneck]

Snow, good points and worry not, I don't offend easily. You don't need to walk on "eggshells". LOL. We got Campbells for eggs and entertainment. I understand your point of the large flock bonding and not likely to now bond with humans. As for the yard and grass, I will post a picture of what they do to the yard. They dig deep holes. LOL. I knew they would not be neater than chickens, but had no idea just how messy they truly are. I had 60 chickens in the past and all 60 made less mess than 14 ducks. I do love the ducks. They are fun to watch. Love their sounds. Just bummed that they started friendly and then developed a fear of us. I work with them every day in the hope that they will grow more accustomed to us. I have not lost faith yet.

 

[Snownoir]

I'm glad you haven't lost faith yet. Hopefully (very likely) their fear will turn into caution and then tolerance since you have yummy foods.

"eggshells"... hehehe

One thing I've found that has made a world of difference, is raising all their watering mechanisms on pallets. The mud drilling is almost non-existant now AND the water is loads cleaner. You could also put the water on pea gravel, but I've found pallets to be the most effective. They get extra excited now, though, when they hear spilling/running water. They all come running so they can drill.

 

[PEKIN LOVE]

Ducks take time, It's trust with ducks. I only had them for 4 years and learned so much, I have 9 pekin ducks 1 loves me to death he chase me around and i chase him back but I WILL NOT do that to the other ducks i have 2 i can't feed by hand or touch and the other 4 will come eat when i hit the can of green beans with my ring then they will go away and 2 more that are getting closer day by day i have 3 guineas that come to me or follow me when i walk to and area i have there treats its JUST time JUST STICK WITH THEM AND TALK TO THEM hope this helps

 

[Going Quackers]

When I find myself disappointed in something, I readjust my expectations and look at application of use. Once I know what it is I'm wanting, I find I'm more realistic with my expectations, and thus, I enjoy myself much more (I'm NOT implying that you were realistic, I'm only speaking for myself).

This is the best point i have heard in a long while! seriously, people come on expecting dogs & cats, um, their ducks folks... prey animals? the instinct to flee is strong.

My 'scovies are personable and i can hold them if i need which i only do if i need too! they don't eat out of my hand they do not run around and follow me, they are here for pest control and eggs, if they always wandered around at me looking for a pat or food i'd go nuts i don't need feathered dogs lol

Ducks are messy, i don't think a single person on here ever says otherwise, it's the biggest issue to them, messy, messy, messy! but you get used to it.

I keep chickens too, have some darn fluffy ones coming in soon, comical pieces right there but i do see how they are way less work, don't require the space and are pretty simple in comparison, i started with ducks you see, refused chickens for awhile then said why am i buying chicken eggs lol so i got 4... the new fluffy ones are for my one kid, she has wanted them from the get-go should be interesting.

Just some rambling background OP, i'd get yourself some lettuce(mine will kill you for romaine) and some peas... start making a little trail, they will come, seriously... do this often enough they'll learn you mean something good. That said you'll probably always have some who say, go away i do lol

The trouble with larger flocks are the birds are less dependent on us so the "pet quality" is lower, i have a pair of calls right now, trust me their needy enough, i am glad the 'scovies just wag and go about their merry little way.

 

[shicks0211]

maybe we love our ducks and just don't say it enough..because it's obvious to us, maybe not to newbies...DUCKS MAKE A **** MESS!!! lol I swear, after they hatch they're adorable..but within a week, I can't wait till they're big enough to free range so i don't have to clean up so much!! They aren't like dogs, but they all have their personalities. Some of mine will eat from my hand..but then if i skip a few days they get weird and I have to gain their trust again. They will run toward you for food when they see you...not TO you, but in your general direction..lol Mine will come onto my porch and peck at the door if i'm late..they'll let me walk close to them..but then out of no where..the WHOLE FLOCK will freak out and run and fly away for no reason..then come wandering back. They are prey animals..you really have to learn their personalities and appreciate them for what they are..mine are purely for entertainment and pest control..bottom line is..if you can't overlook the mess..then they probably aren't for you. but don't eat them!!! poor duckies..lol (jk..i know people eat them...i am not fond of duck ..but i love me some chicken..lol)

 

[cosbackyard]

I'm coming from the opposite situation.
I've been keeping ducks for a few years now. Just this spring I added a couple of chickens. Wow what a difference.
Chickens are so much cleaner and more friendly. No special coaxing or tricks needed to get them to come to us. A few weeks ago when I was working inside the coop one of the chickens flew up to my shoulder and just hung out while I drilled away. The ducks literally crap themselves to get away, haha.

That said - ducks are cuter and provide more entertainment. I can spend hours with them outside.
For practical reasons I'd keep chickens. But I suspect that I'll always keep three or four ducks in the mix.

 

[ducklover87]

You've gotten a lot of great feed back but I'd just like to add my experience. I've always wanted ducks not sure why but the cute lil yellow ducklings. Mom always said no. I moved out and got a dog. My dog loves to roll around in the cow manure the Amish spread next door. So I ended up having to get a new collar as his had been through the washer too much. So I went to Walmart didn't like their selection so on to TSC and didn't like their selection but liked their ducks! So I bought the min which is 6. What an adventure that was. They tolerate me but I can't get more then a few feet away and they run away. So duck math kicks in and I wanted some new breeds placed an order to a hatchery. The min was 15! But I really wanted them so I bought 15. This time around it was so much better. Way stinkier though lol. I started them off with mealworms as a treat and although expensive well worth it. They learned to eat out of my hands and have bonded well with me. There are 15 of them so they are happy alone but when I go outside and yell babies they all come a running. They don't mind being picked up but could live without it. Although I must say even when they were babies none of them ever pooped on me or my mom while holding them. As soon as I set them down they always poop though. I'm just glad its not on me. If you associate yourself with good things like the food lady, deff the water lady, and the treat lady then they will begin to love you. If your very routine with your ducks then keep up with the routine. Mine aren't really as I'm a call in so ya never know when I'm going to be home so if I miss a day spending lots of time with them it doesn't affect anything. The best way to start getting them to love you is feed them at certain times like morning or night or whatever and stay with them. Talk to them, sit with them, or sing. Mine love singing because I used to play music and sing to them when they were babies. Then add treats you can throw them to em then put the treats closer and closer until they have to eat them out ta your hand. It may take a bit but they will get their. Even with that many its still possible. Sorry this was so long.

 

[DenverDucky]

I've talked to several people on here who have had the same issue and I always say the same thing, food! Peas seem to be one of the favorites (my duck is no exception). I agree that when there's one or two ducks involved it's easier to tame them, or if they are young enough they will imprint and they can be very cuddle and sweet. I think that is due in part that there isn't other ducks to imprint to and in most cases the owner is keeping them as a pet, not as livestock.