DuckMyLife8
Chirping
- Apr 7, 2020
- 45
- 35
- 81
Question about duckling behaviour...
I have 2.5 week old ducklings that I spend a LOT of time handling, I know they will most likely not be friendly as adults but I do want them as manageable as possible. First they were terrified of me until I put food in my hand and now they aren't afraid of my hand anymore but they do like to nibble on it as well as nibble on my arms or hair if I'm holding them or my feet, they pretty much try to eat anything and everything.
Not such a big deal when they were little but those nibbles are starting to hurt! And now one of my little angels(haha) has taken to actively trying to bite us in the face (we will be sitting down and she will reach up to try and get us, shes not scared at all, shes just getting kind of sassy...but as I write this shes crawled into my lap and is snuggling sweetly).
Theyre all still friendly, follow me around and sleep in my lap. I don't hand feed them anymore except for treats because I still want to keep them friendly but I feel like they need some boundaries and I have no idea how, or if you even can, do that with ducks.
Is there an appropriate way to discourage the biting behaviour? I know how it works with puppies and kittens and horses, but how would a momma duck say NOT OK to a duckling when they are out of line?
Picture of Elvira, my darling nose biter
I have 2.5 week old ducklings that I spend a LOT of time handling, I know they will most likely not be friendly as adults but I do want them as manageable as possible. First they were terrified of me until I put food in my hand and now they aren't afraid of my hand anymore but they do like to nibble on it as well as nibble on my arms or hair if I'm holding them or my feet, they pretty much try to eat anything and everything.
Not such a big deal when they were little but those nibbles are starting to hurt! And now one of my little angels(haha) has taken to actively trying to bite us in the face (we will be sitting down and she will reach up to try and get us, shes not scared at all, shes just getting kind of sassy...but as I write this shes crawled into my lap and is snuggling sweetly).
Theyre all still friendly, follow me around and sleep in my lap. I don't hand feed them anymore except for treats because I still want to keep them friendly but I feel like they need some boundaries and I have no idea how, or if you even can, do that with ducks.
Is there an appropriate way to discourage the biting behaviour? I know how it works with puppies and kittens and horses, but how would a momma duck say NOT OK to a duckling when they are out of line?
Picture of Elvira, my darling nose biter
