Skittish Ducklings

[Naunnie]

Hello all! I am new here and need some advice please. Monday I adopted 8 Rouen ducklings. I was told they are 8 weeks old. They were housed outside in a "rabbit hutch" type of cage. I do not think they have been handled very much. I have them set up on my enclosed porch in a small sectioned off area. I placed a large cage on the floor. They can walk right in and they put themselves to "bed" at dark. I have a pan of "Flock Raiser" out all day and 1/2 gal. modified jugs for water. Pretty sure, Tues was their first ever swim! I used a low clean cat litter pan. I watched closely and everyone can get in and out. We all had a blast! ) Okay, here is my hitch...they are terrified of me! I do realize it will take some time for them to settle, but what can I do to help calm them down. So far, I am the only humanoid they have seen here, but I want them to be members of the whole family. I have 2 (4 & 10 year old) grandchildren, that will a big part of their lives. I have offered lettuce in the pool and strawberry pieces, but they act like it is "booger"! Just reaching out my hands make them pile up in a corner. Everytime I enter their area, I lightly blow a whistle and talk quietly to them. Please give me advice on how to help these ducklings become happy, healthy, glad to see us, ducks. Do I need to camp on the porch with them? I will!! The kids will be here this week-end. Should I let them hang out with them or just limit them to me, for a while longer? They just gotta know they are loved! Thank ahead for all help and advice.

 

[new2ducks]

I got my 2 ducklings at 2 weeks old last June and they were very skiddish and very dependent on each other. I got my advise to you on here. Give them frozen peas...they LOVE them! Be patient...with them being older and in a group, they will stick together. I just went to a certain area at least 3 times a day and sat patiently with my hand out with peas. You can put some out to tempt them into getting closer to you. I had a chaise lounge and just kicked back and spent time with them and talked so they got used to my voice. Now they come to the same area when they see me for any kind of treat I might have for them and all I have to do is call out "peas,peas,peas" and they come RUNNING!

 

[Naunnie]

Thank you! I am headed to the store! The grand kids will be glad the peas aren't for them! LOL I followed the advice in the "new members" message to "search" for answers too. Another suggestion was mealworms. I noticed Wal-Mart is now selling freeze dried in the pet food department. Will these be okay? Should I soak them first? What about cherry tomatoes? I have a few ready to be picked. Do I need to slice them? Thanks

 

[new2ducks]

I would cut up the tomatoes and I make sure the peas are thawed before I give them to them from my hands and YES let the grandkids feed them too! I just explained to mine ( 4 & 6 ) that it feels like a hair clippy when they get the peas so don't be afraid when you feel that. Never tried the meal worms though. I go to Petsmart every once in a while and get about 20 feeder fish and put them in their water and they love it! My dogs even love a few fish in their water too!

 

[Naunnie]

Thanks new2ducks! We made great progress yesterday with the peas. I did thaw them first. I splashed in their pool with peas in my hand. I think.... it took about 2 seconds for them to discover it! It was like flipping on a light switch!! It was all uphill after that. I was even able to clean-up without them piling up on each other. We played this game several times and now they will eat them from my hand! They also discovered my red toe polish! Now....that was a hoot! I am going to try a few sliced tomatoes today. Your description of a hair clippy is exactly right! The kids are coming down today and that is how I am going to describe it to them. It is so heartwarming to see them coming around. Curious little boogers they are too! They have no problem unhooking the little bungee cords holding their food and water. I placed a few mason jars rings in the sand and they loved it! They pick it up....its flips up on their beak....it scared them a little at first, but now its a game. They do it over and over and even take it away from each other. So much fun!!

 

[new2ducks]

That is FANTASTIC!!!! I also like your idea of the mason jar rings, I bet that is so much fun to watch.
Let me know how your grandkids enjoy the ducks!

 

[ducklover87]

Aww so glad to hear about your great success! Also yes them mealworms are exactly what I get. I'm pretty sure they would kill me for them lol.