Question about duckling behavior

[StuporMan]

I have two 3 week old Pekin ducklings that I got as day old hatchlings, named Nibbles and Scoot and I've noticed some odd behavior. When I walk around with them outside they'll run away if I approach them but they'll chirp and chase me down if I walk away, nibbling on my feet if I sit still and coo at them.
Similarly if I sit on the floor/ground with them they'll cuddle into the crook of my legs to sleep, making small chirps the whole time. They're also very scared of being picked up, but will happily snuggle onto my chest and nibble my chin if I set them there. Any thoughts, maybe suggestions to help build trust if that's the issue?
I'm kind of a newbie so I want to make sure I'm not doing anything to hurt them or traumatize either of them!

 

[KaleIAm]

That's pretty typical behavior. I have noticed it with my own ducklings, and also other BYC members reporting it. It seems like when we stand over ducklings or the ducklings perceive us as chasing them they have a prey/predator instinct triggered.

My advice would be to avoid doing anything scary. Try to call them to you instead of going to get them. Spend time sitting on the floor instead of towering above them, ect.

Some ducks never enjoy being picked up. Mine don't. But they love to sit next to me and so I just enjoy what they offer me.

 

[SolarDuck]

Yes that is normal, them running is just their prey instinct. One thing to help build trust is NEVER chase them no matter what, if you need to catch them simply walk slowly behind them until they are cornered. My duck Pigeon was more like that when I first got her, but whenever she tried running away I just calmly followed her until getting her in a corner and when I did get her in the corner I simply leaned down to give her some pets. Just as a kind of "Hey, I'm not trying to hurt you" After doing that with her for awhile, now she runs up to me every time I go outside for her pets. I have had pretty good luck with this method, I always put my arms out wide when going to pick up one of my ducks and now they pretty much know what it means and just lay down when they see me coming towards them with my arms out. Except for Karen..... Like @KaleIAm said every duck is different, so you will just have to watch them and it should be pretty easy to tell which things bother them. If they don't seem to enjoy being picked up definitely don't push it too hard, or it could cause them to dislike you more.

 

[StuporMan]

That's pretty typical behavior. I have noticed it with my own ducklings, and also other BYC members reporting it. It seems like when we stand over ducklings or the ducklings perceive us as chasing them they have a prey/predator instinct triggered.

My advice would be to avoid doing anything scary. Try to call them to you instead of going to get them. Spend time sitting on the floor instead of towering above them, ect.

Some ducks never enjoy being picked up. Mine don't. But they love to sit next to me and so I just enjoy what they offer me.

Yeah I noticed that they're more OK with me petting and teasing their beaks when I sit down, and they do respond to me calling them when we're walking, usually responding by flapping their bald little stub wings and running in a circle around me before stopping between my feet. They're sweet ducks when they want to be

 

[StuporMan]

Yes that is normal, them running is just their prey instinct. One thing to help build trust is NEVER chase them no matter what, if you need to catch them simply walk slowly behind them until they are cornered. My duck Pigeon was more like that when I first got her, but whenever she tried running away I just calmly followed her until getting her in a corner and when I did get her in the corner I simply leaned down to give her some pets. Just as a kind of "Hey, I'm not trying to hurt you" After doing that with her for awhile, now she runs up to me every time I go outside for her pets. I have had pretty good luck with this method, I always put my arms out wide when going to pick up one of my ducks and now they pretty much know what it means and just lay down when they see me coming towards them with my arms out. Except for Karen..... Like @KaleIAm said every duck is different, so you will just have to watch them and it should be pretty easy to tell which things bother them. If they don't seem to enjoy being picked up definitely don't push it too hard, or it could cause them to dislike you more.

Yeah I never push chasing them anywhere, just calmly walk behind them and leave them be unless something happens along that could hurt them.
They're actually OK with being carried if you cradle them in your arms (one of them is anyway, but he's sort of super chill with everything so there's that) I've considered giving them banana treats when I cuddle them as a kind of bribe to make them a bit calmer, that's what I did to make them a bit more ok with me wading in their pool with them

 

[StuporMan]

I've also noticed that my ducklings start to pant if I cuddle them now, they don't try to jump off me or act distressed (save for when I have to adjust where they are) and they still nibble at me like they always do. I notice that they get pretty hot when I hold them, so maybe they're getting too hot?