Socializing ducks

[Skcup]

What are your tips for socializing fearful or unsocialized ducks? What kind of food treats will make me irresistible?

As per the other thread, I have four one year old muscovies that I just brought home who have not been handled very much. They are naturally wary of me because I am new, I'm sure so I'd like to start making friends with them.

Handfeeding chicken scratch? What else? Do they love fruit? How do I make them love me?

I crouched in their pen for a few minutes last night and they went back to their business after a minute or so but they bolted every time I moved or looked like I might approach them.

 

[cayugaducklady]

Easiest thing to do is grab an old blanket , spread it on the ground and sit on it. Take a book or magazine to red or listen to an audiobook or music. Have a variety of noms with you on the blanket.. My girls like cooked potatoes, cooked beets, cooked carrots, lettuce, peas, corn, and especially watermelon.

Just sit there and BE. On will eventually work up the nerve to waddle up to you and soon the rest should follow. Let them check out your shoes and pockets , etc.


Repeat.

Personally I'd repeat and just sit there for at least a few days minimum before I even tried to hand feed or skritch them on the chest. You'll know when they are comfy with you because they'll start coming up to you sooner & sooner.

I don't have muscovies so they may be more wary than other breeds. Don't get discouraged. It will take time for them to figure out that you mostly don't want to eat them.

 

[Skcup]

That is great advice, thank you. I will try that this weekend.

 

[Bert2368]

For tempting duck treats, coarsely chop up some romaine lettuce, or thaw out a handful of frozen green peas.

Or try a scrambled egg, especially for ducklings who can use that extra protein. We take cracked or frozen chicken eggs, put them in the blender shells and all, then microwave the blenderized eggs in a glass pie dish sprayed with "Pam" non stick cooking oil. Cool, and chop it up into small bits for the ducklings, they will mob your hand for scrambled eggs!