The Duck Thread

[Julie Birb]

I love petting them, and I'm a bit sad that they're not cuddly. I had parrots for years and they're the cuddliest things ever. Ducks are sweet, though, and it makes me happy when trust me enough to eat out of my hand and let me touch them occasionally. I have dogs and cats and my sweetie if I need cuddles, I suppose. 

They let me get away with touching them if I'm feeding them, because the lure of food is so strong they can't help but get in range. I've even got most of them eating their regular duck food out of my hand in the mornings when I let them out of their pen. They have to get their breakfast from me at first. Well, most of them. I don't make Peek and Poke eat out of my hand for breakfast. They're still really skittish and it takes peas to get them close enough. Even then, Poke still won't eat out of my hand. She waits until someone else knocks peas out of my hand and then picks them up off the ground.

Poke is funny doing that.

I wonder if so many of these domestic ducks that don't wanna be touched are just naturally exhibiting their primitive survival instincts. And as a consequence may never adapt to being held or touched. It is interesting cuz some of them are fine with it and others not. I wonder if your 4 newer birds will ever come around. Peek and Poke maybe not? The personalities and quirks of these and my own birds never ceases to amaze me. They are soulful, feeling beings that are mysterious.

 

[WVduckchick]

Poke is funny doing that.

I wonder if so many of these domestic ducks that don't wanna be touched are just naturally exhibiting their primitive survival instincts. And as a consequence may never adapt to being held or touched. It is interesting cuz some of them are fine with it and others not. I wonder if your 4 newer birds will ever come around. Peek and Poke maybe not? The personalities and quirks of these and my own birds never ceases to amaze me. They are soulful, feeling beings that are mysterious.

I think you have a point! Natural instincts. My ducks are just like Kaessa's. All in for the peas, but once the peas are gone, they are done! lol

I have 2 big roosters at my camp (where I am now) and they have gotten so used to us, they come up on the porch, right up to the sliding glass door, I can put my nose on the glass and they don't run, but as soon as I open the door, they move away. Had the door open today, and was in the kitchen, and realized they were right behind me... inside.... trying to get to the dog's food! lol But as soon as I try to touch them, they run. They even stand outside and crow until I open the door, but they still won't let me closer than 6 inches. Won't even eat out of my hand. But they love being very close to us.

 

[Kaessa]

Poke is funny doing that.

I wonder if so many of these domestic ducks that don't wanna be touched are just naturally exhibiting their primitive survival instincts. And as a consequence may never adapt to being held or touched. It is interesting cuz some of them are fine with it and others not. I wonder if your 4 newer birds will ever come around. Peek and Poke maybe not? The personalities and quirks of these and my own birds never ceases to amaze me. They are soulful, feeling beings that are mysterious.

I don't think I spend enough time with them to ever get them to come around. I work full time (though I work from home, so I'm here most of the time), and I barely have enough time for all of the other animals that need my attention. Technically, we got them as livestock to produce eggs, so it doesn't bother me too much that they aren't cuddly pets. They were never really intended to be pets at all, but I got attached to them when I was raising them. Love my duckies!

I don't think Peek and Poke will ever come around, but that's ok. They have a good home now, and they like me, so it doesn't bother me at all that they don't want me to touch them.

 

[WVduckchick]

I don't think I spend enough time with them to ever get them to come around. I work full time (though I work from home, so I'm here most of the time), and I barely have enough time for all of the other animals that need my attention. Technically, we got them as livestock to produce eggs, so it doesn't bother me too much that they aren't cuddly pets. They were never really intended to be pets at all, but I got attached to them when I was raising them. Love my duckies!

I don't think Peek and Poke will ever come around, but that's ok. They have a good home now, and they like me, so it doesn't bother me at all that they don't want me to touch them.

Well maybe we are lucky that they aren't so attached to us. Mine will eventually go to a pond on my farm, and I wont be there all the time. Weekends mostly. I have gotten into the habit at home, when I walk out the back door, I have a special whistle that lets them know its me. I feel like its less scary for them, kinda warns them. They almost always come to the near side of the pen to greet me and talk to me. But handling is still not an option lol.

 

[slordaz]

Julie: maybe it bothers their natural water proofing or painful with feathers , mine doesn't like it but was only way to get them to the pond for first bit as was something new. They get back to the pen easy enough on their own as they can hear the chicks there free ranging, yesterday was first time they let us herd them to the pond instead of having to catch them first and carry them over. Mine are still not fully feathered yet though lol.

 

[Brunsy26]

Help!!!! My Indian runners arnt doing good, yesterday I noticed they are being really clumsy and falling over a lot and right before I put them to bed they started falling over and tensing up and scratching at their head/ear or eye area really fast. Their droppings are really runny but normal color. I don't know what it is or what to do please anyone help if you can!!!!!

 

[Amiga]

Help!!!! My Indian runners arnt doing good, yesterday I noticed they are being really clumsy and falling over a lot and right before I put them to bed they started falling over and tensing up and scratching at their head/ear or eye area really fast. Their droppings are really runny but normal color. I don't know what it is or what to do please anyone help if you can!!!!!

Please remind us what age they are, what they are eating, if they get grit, do they go outside, etc.

 

[Chrysolinsbirds]

Help!!!! My Indian runners arnt doing good, yesterday I noticed they are being really clumsy and falling over a lot and right before I put them to bed they started falling over and tensing up and scratching at their head/ear or eye area really fast. Their droppings are really runny but normal color. I don't know what it is or what to do please anyone help if you can!!!!!

Are they getting medicated starter or a niacin/b vitamins supplement? How old are they? Do they normally stand extremely upright or do they stand with more of a diagonal stance? Also do you make sure to give them water before you feed them any crumbles every day? I've lost babies when I left someone to care for them and they had filled the feeders first and my babies gorged themselves without any thing to drink and when they did get some water it was horrible.

 

[MyaCurran]

My ducklings are nervous around me and aren't very friendly. Just wondering what I can do? I try to handle them every day but they seem very scared and dont like it.

 

[pairaducks]

What is happening to my ducks?? I'm watching one of my drakes pick the heck out of the others! They're all what looks like losing feathers. They are bald on their hind ends. It's too early for mating (4-5 mos old). Any help here??