Spending time with ducks

[ducklucky]

Agree with you all. They get to that teenage stage, OMG MOM, don't touch me in public!!! Peas are a good trick, we buy them by the case, defrost by bag, i.e., you don't have to cook them, when they see the bag, they come running, will eat of our hands and let us pet them and actually stroke their heads and necks. PEAS are God to ducks, and if you grow some oats in your garden, just pull them and offer them off the stalk, they love that too. Food is key, unfortunately, you will probably never have them jump in your lap anymore. All little birds leave the nest, you've done your job...they still love you

 

[Cedar714]

Finally another use for frozen peas besides an emergency ice pack

 

[Mum]

Finally another use for frozen peas besides an emergency ice pack

 

[new2ducks]

SEE!!!!! Peas are work wonders!

And I'm thinking this one is my male...

 

[ducklucky]

For some reason, the drake seems to be more docile. Guess because the girls are laying now, they are more greedy. He just stands in the background and lets them have their handfuls first, but I always toss some to him. And yes, frozen peas have many uses, always reserve one for the ice pack we all need at one time or another. The chickens really like them as well! It's quite a war scene when it's pea time

 

[LCARTER87]

I was worried about our ducks being picked on by our chickens, boy was I wrong! Our ducks are constantly chasing off our chickens, biting their tail feathers, just all around nonsense. I will try the peas! Right now the duck we think is our boy (an indian runner) seems like he wants to cuddle but then our girl (a khaki campbell) yells at him hah! Normal relationship huh? The only time they run for me is at bed time

 

[PeanutnCashew]

Mine are the opposite! They want me all the time..I think I give them too much attention

I only have two though.

 

[Wokawidget]

My two ducks are both incredibly friendly...the Campbell is extra friendly and will quite happily sit in the house, wearing one of Netties nappies, on someones lap having a stroke. The runner, while very friendly doesn't like being in a lap much. Fine being picked up, fine being stroked and having her neck scratched, but just not in your lap.

In saying that there was a time when the Campbell went from thinking you were the best thing since sliced bread to you're going to eat her...she was about 10 weeks old and it lasted until she started laying at around 24 weeks. As soon as she started laying she became docile and even friendlier than before.

They both know their name and reply back to you when you call them.

I found that they both respond to stroke = treat....for extra bonding you can always run them a nice warm bath for them and feed them meal worms while they relax. Mine love that.

Sometimes they are too friendly like when you're trying to dig the garden and you spend 90% of the time chasing them away so they don't get sliced in two by the spade. the runner has no fear!

They are still ducks and don't like strangers...there's no way either will let a random person stroke them in the garden...which is very different to my Bantam Cochin...where any random lap is a potential target...she stalks people until they sit down then, squark, chicken in your lap regardless if you wanted her or not.

Woka

 

[Echo5]

I have four Pekin ducks and they have been handled everyday from day 1... They have never followed me even when they where babies they just huddled together. But they let me cuddle with them and pick them up... As they got older they did get more nervous and always try and run away when I get near. They are two and a half months now, I can pick them up and hold them but they kinda have to be cornered lol... They know who I am and are fine once in my arms, but sadly Pekin ducks are naturally more spooky and nervous unless you only have one, then its attached to you and you only... I must say they probably wont every get to what they used to be but maybe when they get older theyll slow down and get more comfortable. They are so funny... Don't take it personally it's just the breed of duck lol

Animal Instincts

 

[LCARTER87]

A warm bath and a treat sounds wonderful! And they are in need, they get watermellon now every morning and boy do they get messy! Talk about some pink ducks!