Taming a pair of runner ducks

[L0rraine]

Well that was worth the trip. My babies gave the peas a sideways glance and decided they should be sampled ... and then a few more should be sampled ... then a lot more. Mom's giving the ducklings a few quacks like she thinks it's probably not a good idea, but then when she can't deter them, she gives one a try ... and another try ... and a few more tries. The ducks outside the pen are thinking they want in on the deal (whatever it is) and try to get at the peas through the fence (it can't be done). So I toss them a few of their own. They freeze and eyeball those strange bits of obvious poison I've thrown to them. One thinks she should give them a try and the others all quack their concerns, she spits out the poison pill and they all move away from treats. I back way away thinking they would give them another try if I wasn't so close, but no, they walked in a large circle around them and avoided them like the plague. I'll feed the little ones peas again tonight when the ducks are all in the pen together and I'm betting I'll get the all adult ducks to get on board.

 

[inn]

Disaster tonight. I tried to capture and hold each of them and in the scurry the female scraped her wing a bit

I tried another method of standing and quacking at them for about 5 minutes (like a loon). They really are some spooked out ducks! I am wondering if getting one or two really really tamed runners to add to the flock will help their mentality since they don't seem to be adopting the chickens' who are perfectly tame now.

 

[AdamD77]

Aww, hope she's okay

I used to give them a cuddle after they had their bath, they were soggy and tired so they were easier to catch and a couple of them were more willing to let me hold them

Oh don't worry, I quack like a mad man all the time now, but my girls actually do respond to it! Keep doing that and try and mimic how they sound as close as possible, even if you do sound crazy!

You might find that getting more makes it worse since there are even more of them so less need to associate with you... I'd say try working on it for a week or so and see if your relationship gets any better. If not, then start thinking about other options

 

[inn]

Yes I think she was shaken up and not happy with me

Anyhow decided with the boyfriend to just let them settle in a bit more to their surroundings befor trying actively taming them. They have left the peas and wheat provided last night uneaten this morning. Maybe they will have a nibble during the day.

We're looking into sorting a pond within the next week so I hope that will help them relax.

 

[lorihadams]

watermelon rinds with some of the watermelon left on
cantaloupe rinds with some of the cantaloupe left on
crickets
scrambled eggs
cooked beets
yogurt
oatmeal
sunflower seeds



These are some of the favorites of my runners (I currently have 4 adults and 10 7 week old babies) Just quack at them to get their attention and throw out the treats. Sit in a corner on the ground so that they can see you and BE STILL. Sudden movement will make runners go nuts, at least mine will. Give them a little time, I like to give mine treats in the evenings just before they bed down for the night. Mine like peas too.

Good luck!

 

[destinduck]

The number one thing to do is get a chair and spend as much time with them as you can and put the food around you.Be patient. Pretty soon they will associate the food with you.ALSO never hurts to talk with them

adams advice is good

 

[katharinad]

Confine them into a smaller area and just spend time with them. Talking is always a good thing. My ducks don't like to be held or touched, but I never worked them to that point. They have become very social and lay next to the deck in the grass when we are sitting there, even with 4 dogs laying around too. Our dogs don't care about the ducks at all. It's fun to see the dogs chasing each other in the back yard, running around the ducks. The ducks don't even get up, they simply watch and occasionally get excited and quack at the dogs. They do come up onto the deck when we give them treats, like peas or watermelon, standing right next to the dogs. They pile up on the deck when we eat watermelon because they know they get the rind with extra melon on it. Later on they will lay next to the living room windows when we watch TV to stay close to us. Around 9.15 they usually get up quacking and walk back to their duck house to be locked up at 9.30. They are so easy going we love it.

 

[misslucylou69]

I am amazed at some of the 'taming' stories. We bought 5 week old runner duck 4 female and 2 males two weeks ago and although they have calmed down a bit they do not like it when we come down the garden to the pen. They run inside the duck house and literally climb the walls if we open the door and sit and talk to them. Will they just 'get used' to us or do we need to make more effort and pick them up every day to force the contact. We don't want to frighten them.. We had chickens before and I dont remember there being a 'taming' problem with them??

Definately gonna try the 'pea' thing though

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Peas will work and just sitting with them not really saying anything, but if you do talk or sing do it softly. I have 3 young Muscovy hens I am working with now, I have had them 3 weeks and even though I've seen some slight improvement, we have a long way to go. when I bring snacks for the ducks chickens and goose I whistle, and they come running. so all the best and enjoy, and lots of patience And Peas mine also love dried mealworms too. and

 

[grawg]

I had the same problem you are having. I bought 5 runner ducks that were 4-6 weeks old and it has taken a LOT of peas, worms, and sweet corn to get them to tolerate me. The forced contact didn't seem to work at all for me and made them more nervous in my opinion. Mine also seemed to like a fair warning to announce my arrival, so I always try to let them know I'm coming so I don't spook them.

Good luck and have fun, and