Support Group for Abused Duck Keepers

[Luv Ducks]

Awww . I'm really trying to get the most friendly ducks this year so I'm gonna try all of that. I love how right now, my ducks get scared away when I walk towards them, but my ducklings walk towards me when I get near them, I don't want it to change.

It seems they are somewhat like my kids were. As toddlers they loved the hugs and kisses but then they became teenagers and it was a whole different story. A couple of them didn't mind the hugs and kisses but one thought absolutely NOT! As adult ducks mine eat out of my hands except my little drake calls and my Mallard Hens. Everyone else is there to get the lettuce that they love. Good luck with yours. I am getting two babies tomorrow so hopefully they will be friendly as I have always held my babies and even sang to them. Maybe that's why they don't want to be that close to me when they are teenagers!!! LOL

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

It's because they're wondering why it's not dirty

I'm wondering the same. They always eventually get to that stage where even in the brooder they start to run away from your hand as you bend down to pick them

Maybe thats why, shouldnt they be happy with clean water
They were fine with me picking them up until exactly 5 weeks.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

It seems they are somewhat like my kids were. As toddlers they loved the hugs and kisses but then they became teenagers and it was a whole different story. A couple of them didn't mind the hugs and kisses but one thought absolutely NOT! As adult ducks mine eat out of my hands except my little drake calls and my Mallard Hens. Everyone else is there to get the lettuce that they love. Good luck with yours. I am getting two babies tomorrow so hopefully they will be friendly as I have always held my babies and even sang to them. Maybe that's why they don't want to be that close to me when they are teenagers!!! LOL

Aww i cant wait to see them babies! What breed?

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Well mine wont even eat out of my hand now. I picked them up a ton, they would eat out of my hand when i picked them up. Now no eating out of my hand or picking up.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Awww . I'm really trying to get the most friendly ducks this year so I'm gonna try all of that. I love how right now, my ducks get scared away when I walk towards them, but my ducklings walk towards me when I get near them, I don't want it to change.

Just sit with them lots
Offer treats in your hand
Every night I sit in the coop and sing them to sleep
It’s fun ti watch how they settle right down and close their eyes
I know with only 2 @BelovedBirds spent a lot of time with her babies and hers are very loving towards her

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

The teen stage is when they fear everything
Then the hormone stage happens
After that they settle down again
None of mine are aggressive when I pick them up
The ones that are more scared will flap the wings but once I get them tucked in they settle down
None of them bite me when held
That’s all I’m really worried about as the bites hurt

 

[Luv Ducks]

Aww i cant wait to see them babies! What breed?

Fawn and white Runner Ducks. I will have to let Miss Lydia put them on here for me as I am not savvy enough and she has always helped me in the past. She is a Godsend to me when I am trying to share my flock.

 

[Luv Ducks]

The teen stage is when they fear everything
Then the hormone stage happens
After that they settle down again
None of mine are aggressive when I pick them up
The ones that are more scared will flap the wings but once I get them tucked in they settle down
None of them bite me when held
That’s all I’m really worried about as the bites hurt

None of mine have ever bitten me either even when I have to clip wings. I am blessed by that.

 

[ruthhope]

It's raining again and this boy, Butter, has again taken himself into the shed and up onto another muscovy's roost. He's definitely a Florida Boy out of sorts in Northern Virginia rain!!

The other boys were up by the house, but went down to the shed when I went to check on Butter. I'm not saying they are over joyed with the weather, but they aren't sulking in the shed!!! I wonder if Butter is about to molt and that is keeping him feeling miserable? He needs to molt -- his feather on his wings and tail look very tatty. Or maybe he just wants attention from me, the slave to the ducks needs.

 

[Maddcatter]

So, when my ducks where small, I got them used to me. Cuddles and treats and sitting in the brooder. They turn into teens, and all they want is treats... Just like humans. Lmao

They will still approach me if they're in trouble they know they can't fix, or if they want treats.

2 nights ago one of my girls got stuck in the backyard because she was chasing moths. She came right up to me. Didn't want to be picked up, but definitely came to me for help.
...so I opened the gate up, and had the duck play "follow the light". Lol

I think they just want to be free to get away if they need to. They are still prey animals, and we are like 10x their size.

Mind you, that doesn't stop them from staring at me and nibbling at my clothes when it's treat time.