Not Very Socialble =-(

[Kelly1970]

I have two Silver appleyards and they only bother with me when it's time to eat.Can I do anything to help them become more friendly,or is it just a "duck" thing?

 

[zooweemama]

How old are they? It helps if they are handled a lot as babies and offered oodles of treats. The way to a ducks heart is through it's stomach. If they are all feathered now and you are just now wanting to handle them- you will have to patiently work for it. Move slow, talk soft, make yourself smaller when you interact with them and offer healthy treats during your interactions. Ducks live for 10+ years so patience is a virtue. It won't happen overnight. Good luck!

 

[Going Quackers]

Takes time and some just aren't that friendly, i have two that are crazy lol i keep telling them to grow up

but we got them as 6/7mth olds and that is a tough egg to crack lol

The birds i have had from young are not so anti human... one thing i am thankful for is my latest hatch is being mothered by one of our friendly birds so at least the 9 little ones aren't so afraid despite basically being 'farm raised"

 

[zooweemama]

Takes time and some just aren't that friendly, i have two that are crazy lol i keep telling them to grow up

but we got them as 6/7mth olds and that is a tough egg to crack lol

The birds i have had from young are not so anti human... one thing i am thankful for is my latest hatch is being mothered by one of our friendly birds so at least the 9 little ones aren't so afraid despite basically being 'farm raised"

And this is soooo so true. I have some out of the same batch that were treated the same as the others but a couple will have absolutely nothing to do with me unless there is a pea in my hand. Others will walk up to me briefly to see if I have anything (the others need to see proof ha!). None let me just 'hold them' because I want to or anything though.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Ducks are for observing, not for cuddling.

My Appleyards are very calm and they trust me, so will walk on top of my feet if I get in their path. They always run to me to see what I've brought them and will come when I call them, because that means I have treats.

If you pick your ducks up and pet them, it frightens them and they will try to avoid you because you are scary to them. They know you intend to do something that terrifies them.

Be calm around them. They enjoy being talked to and they are very responsive to food bribes. If you have time, take a lawn chair out to their run and ocassionaly toss out something delicious. If you don't try to pick them up and you dispense tasty treats, they will soon be hanging around your feet.

 

[Kelly1970]

Thanks for all the responses.