Socializing ducklings?

[Acacianna]

My family just got three little Khaki Campbells and I've been trying to play with my new ducklings as much as possible to try to socialize them. They are still very skittish and freak out if they are separated, however will be a lot more calm when I have them all out in my lap together. They also seem absolutely terrified when I first pick them up but calm down a bit afterwards.

I want to raise them to be as cuddly and social as possible, what can I do to encourage this? How often can I handle them without disturbing them too much? Its so tempting to go over to them every half hour but I don't want to bother them toooo much. Are there any ways I can make them less afraid of me and being separated? How long can they spend on my lap away from the heat lamp?

I've also read treats can work well, how much is okay to feed them? What types of greens are best? Do you need grit and how do you offer it at the same time as the greens? So far they have only eaten commercial duck food.

 

[gilbert2]

Congratulations on your new family additions. Since you asked several questions, I'll try to go one by one with answers.
It helps to acknowledge one's motives for having ducks in the first place. Nobody could say that ducklings are not cute! But raising them to increase their "cuddliness" might be asking a lot. After all, ducks (even domesticated) are not like dogs--they do not bond with humans in exactly the same way. I know that some people here have ducks that are very social, follow them around, and don't mind being picked up. But I feel that the vast majority of ducks will be nervous when first picked up--if not very upset. It's just their nature.
By interacting with them the way you do, they will probably get more and more used to you, and consequently less nervous. If you can time your visits to coincide with feeding times, then you'll get a better result. If they can associate you with food, then you will be ahead of the game.
I feel that they can spend as much time in your lap as you want. Believe me, when they are tired of it, they'll let you know! Also in my humble opinion, heat lamps are overrated. Of course I like to use the lamps, but seriously, how do ducklings out in nature, away from lamps, make it? These little ducklings are a lot stronger than you might think they are. If they are away from their heat lamps for several minutes, it shouldn't hurt them a bit.
Commercial grit is sold in plastic bags, as "poultry grit," available at feed stores. It is tiny pieces of crushed granite, usually. If you are feeding them foods other than crumbles, that is when they need extra help to digest their food. Again, in nature, ducklings genetically are directed to gobble tiny rocks for this purpose. So if you're giving them greens, meal worms, or other non-crumble food, that's when the grit comes in. They will swallow exactly what they need; this doesn't need to be regulated too much.
As far as greens, my ducks like the tops of root vegetables, like carrots, turnips, etc, cut up. They also love thawed out frozen green beans and other people food. But the absolute best is thawed out frozen peas. Those are crack for ducks!
Please know that there are people here who are MUCH more experienced than I am. And these answers are only my opinions. I offer them in good faith to you. Good luck!
Gil

 

[Acacianna]

Thank you so much for the info! Good to know they are okay with being away from their lamp for a little bit.
We primarily bought them as pets and to produce eggs. I've been looking through the house duck thread on here and would very much like to have that kind of relationship with my duckies, being able to take them places and such.
I realize they are prey animal and will behave differently than dogs or cats would. I worked with horses for years and are also prey animals, but can be conditioned to overcome the fear instincts with a lot of work. Can ducks be 'trained' in a similar way?

I can't wait to start giving them treats, I'm sure that will be adorable to watch!
Also, do different breeds of ducks seem to have distinctive personality traits (that of course vary by individual) the way horses do?
Is there anything I should know about Khaki Campbells in particular?