Taming Black Indian Runner Ducks

[jheasley]

Have a question pertaining to Indian runner ducks.

About eight days ago I purchased 15 Indian Runner ducks, three that are two years old, four that are five months old and eight that are six weeks old. One of the two-year-old ducks is fawn and white and the rest of them are black. They are very spooky and seem petrified when I approach them in the pen I have them in an off the ground pen. They were kept on the ground at their original owners, but were spooky there also. About four days ago I let the two-year-old ducks loose in our quarter acre enclosure, they don't stroll far away from the pen the other ducks are in.

I really only need about seven or eight of these ducks, my question is: Does anyone have a good suggestions on taming these ducks?

I would like to start being able to hand feed them, but I don't see this happening anytime soon. Wondering if it would be best to get rid of the older ducks and just keep the younger ducks, but the younger ones seem every bit as spooky as the older ones.

They seem like a breed that will do "monkey see monkey do", just what the other ducks do. Wondering if separating the six week old ducks would help in taming them to where they would be able to be hand fed in the near future.

Any tested & proven methods in taming this breed would be appreciated!

 

[jducour]

I adopted some year old runners that were not handled much by their previous owners, and I am pretty sure they were chased for fun by the owners rowdy 6 year old. They were timid, but were not mean. They have never snapped at me. I started out by going into their coop in the evening when I had some spare time, and read a book quietly while they watched. I think it worked because I was just there, I wasn't looking at them or trying to hold them. They got used to my presence. I have had them for 4 months now, and they will let me walk past them without them getting up, and they will eat out of my hand. They still do not like to be picked up, but if I do, they will calm down and allow me to pet them. One difference in my situation though, is I was adding them to my flock of very tame ducks. Two of my ducks imprinted and follow me around everywhere. They are also the drakes, so the female ducks look to them for guidance. I would imagine that their behavior influenced the new ducks accepting me. I don't know if getting rid of the older ducks would help, if they have never been around people, it might be better to spend more energy on the younger ducks. The best way to make a duck your friend is with treats. Mealworms and thawed frozen peas are favorites.

 

[Amykins]

Patience. Rock-like patience and treats. Runners are notoriously skittish, so you could be in it for the long haul. But don't give up! I like J's idea, just sitting and reading, not trying to handle them so they get used to you being there. Then you can reel 'em in with a barrage of peas, mealworms and watermelon, ha!

 

[jducour]

Patience. Rock-like patience and treats. Runners are notoriously skittish, so you could be in it for the long haul. But don't give up! I like J's idea, just sitting and reading, not trying to handle them so they get used to you being there. Then you can reel 'em in with a barrage of peas, mealworms and watermelon, ha!

Oooh! I forgot! Watermelon! I leave it just sliced in half, so they have to dunk their heads in to dig it out. They love that

 

[Amykins]

Oooh! I forgot! Watermelon! I leave it just sliced in half, so they have to dunk their heads in to dig it out. They love that

Oh yes...we know...

 

[quackingdom]

When you get ducks as adults, it takes a long time to tame them. I have three ducks that I got as 2-3-year-olds and have had them a year now. They will all eat out of my hand, follow me around if they want something, and don't mind if I walk past them. But they will absolutely not let me catch them if they can help it.

I got them with eleven ducklings that were a few weeks old. Now, many of those young ones are extremely tame.

If they won't eat out of your hand yet, I agree with the idea of just simply sitting by them and reading a book or whatever. Eventually they'll relax. The next step is offering treats, not necessarily in your hand, but stay nearby while they eat. It shouldn't take too long before they'll eat out of your hand.

Here's my guide to taming ducks: http://www.raising-ducks.com/how-to-taming-a-duck/