Spending time with ducks

[LCARTER87]

We are new to ducks, we got two about two months ago from babies, when they were young they were so cuddly and lovey! Now it seems like the older they get the more they want to be left alone, is this normal for ducks? Id like to keep them as attached to me as possible, I know they still know I am there momma by how they act when they are outside, but they dont follow me around anymore, or seem to like being held as much. Any ideas on how I can get them back to being cuddly babies?

 

[Kevin565]

Just like people ducks go through a teenage phase where they depend less on Mother and learn to become more independent. It's perfectly normal.

 

[cskotek]

Completely agree with the above poster! I went through this so many times Lol.

 

[LCARTER87]

Aw gosh! I just want my lovey ducks back! I even have to chase them to catch them now, but I guess that makes perfect sense, they want to be together running around creating havoc for the chickens!

 

[DuckLady]

Look at it this way, if they stay near you that's great. I have had some of mine for 8 years and they know I am not going to eat them, beat them chase them or hang them upside down by their toenails, but they always think I am up to no good.

Most won't sit on my lap or let me pick them up, but they will settle near me and they follow me and need to know what I am doing.

Ducks are suspicious little spazzes by nature. It is the rare duck who will let you treat it as a house pet.

 

[cskotek]

Quote: Sadly.

 

[Mum]

... Any ideas on how I can get them back to being cuddly babies?

Put simply: you can't.

It's not in their nature to be lap ducks; you do read of exceptions on here, but, those are exceptions not the norm. Even my duck who I had to hatch and keep warm in my cleavage isn't a cuddly-wuddly pet; she looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, behaves like a duck because ... she's a duck

My ducks will eat treats out of my hand; they will come over to have a nosey when I'm gardening aka anticipating natures treats for ducks. They tolerate being checked over once a week, which is brief because it stresses them out. If I'm reading a book in my arbour, they will all come and sit around my feet. That's as good as it gets. And I'm very content with that

I have two cats that satisfy the sit-on-lap-for-cuddles requirements.

 

[bexnd]

they're more cuddly wen they are like an only child . they are imprint animals this page i think describes it best
http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id6.html

 

[kellypepperk]

This is what we're going through now, too. We have our 7 year old catch the ducks for us and then we try to give each one a special treat and some extra lovin'. They're still a little nosey but pretty much just hang in the fenced in front yard - with a naughty rooster, Fluffy (formerly known as Slayer).

 

[new2ducks]

this new duck I have is scared to death of me but she's new and came from a home where chickens were picking on her so they gave her to us. She's curious but won't get too close. She'll warm up but I know it will take time. My other 2 have their days when they get close and other days when they wan't nothing to do with me...think they are in their teenage years....lol They DO know where their food comes from so they don't get too detatched...lol