Socializing ducklings?

[kunemama]

I received 4 Welsh Harlequin ducklings on Wednesday which hatched Monday. I've been reading some conflicting information on socializing them and was hoping someone could clear it up for me. Right now the ducklings don't seem scared by my presence but run to the other side of the brooder when I put my hand it.Some sites have said that it's just their initial instinct and I should pick them up anyway and other sites say that if you do that it'll make them more scared because they feel like they're being chased/trapped. I made sure to kneel on the floor so I look as small as possible.

As much as I'd like them to imprint on me, I feel like they're too old at this point so I'm just hoping I can make them as used to people and friendly as possible. I got this breed specifically because I read they're friendlier/calmer than a lot of other breeds so any advice is appreciated.

 

[jducour]

From my experience, most ducklings don't like to be picked up, but they are happy to be held. I would hold each duck as much as you can, they are definitely not too old to grow attached to you. One of my ducklings would always walk over to be picked up, would almost beg to be picked up, and he was certainly held the most. He is the calmest, most loving duck we have now. Our other duck that comes to me to be held hated being held when he was a duckling. I still held him every day, and he always warmed up to me once I had him in my hands.

 

[kunemama]

Thanks. As soon as I try to pick one up she starts peeping like crazy and trying to get away. I think it's really just because they all want to be together and I'm separating them.

I put them in a new house with lower walls - I'm hoping if they see me more they'll get more comfortable. I just don't want them to think of me as that jerk who always tries picking them up...but I also don't want problems down the road when I'm trying to get them in their coop at night.