Terrified call ducks

[Jjdesmo11]

I got two female call ducks from a horrible situation. They are terrified and growth stunted. I have been putting poultry cell in their water, offering mealworms, eggs, oats, peas. They were in a plastic tub for the first 3 days and now I have them in a 4x2 brooder. They won’t come out and eat and are so scared! I feel horrible for them. I know this will be a process teaching them to trust me. But I set up a camera in there and they haven’t come out in like 4 hrs! My other ducks are big piggies! I’m so worried for these little ones and want to see them happy

 

[Huntergatherr]

Poor Tiny ducks
You're good for saving them

 

[duckncover]

I'm unsure of advice to give but here are my call ducklings. The lightest colored one is super afraid of me approaching her with her with my hands and the other 4 will crawl up on me for a snack. I hatched them. Hopefully you can find a way to get through to them!

 

[Quatie]

It can be hard for ducks to trust a new situation. This is going to be a huge change for them. Reduced eating can be normal for ducks when introduced into a new environment. While your situation is far better for them, they are not use to it and will take time to adjust. You may want to consider covering the cage to make them feel safer. Ducks are calmed when they are in a dark covered space. I would also put them in a quiet area right now. Overall, I would let them settle in before trying to bond with them. I would stick to their feed and not try treats yet. I doubt they really understand them considering their living situation.

You may also need to remove that covered house to force them to explore the brooder.

It is wonderful of you to take these poor babies in. Hopefully they will start feeling more at home.

 

[Jjdesmo11]

Poor Tiny ducks
You're good for saving them

Thank you! I have been watching them all morning and they are eating and seem so happy! I covered the cage so there felt safer. I feel like it’s going to take lots of mealworms to get them to not be terrified of me! I added poultry cell to the water and vitamin b and a ton of frozen peas! They deserve to be spoiled but I can’t help but think about the others I left behind. So pitiful