they hate me :(

[WeeNicole]

Well I got 4 magpie ducklings (6weeks old) over a week ago. I know they will not come around fir ages yet BUT they are still soo scared to even move when im near. Iv sat with them tried umpteen different things with food to try tp get them to trust me a little more but no joy at all.

Im not looking a miracle this quick but id like to be able to walk near without them being this scared. I let them out yestetday an come putting in time they ran but they ran into a thorn bush an got hurt. I was goin in slow and low an got 4 foot away when they done this so id hardly suddenly startled them or anything.

Im more worried for their saftey an health than wanting them to come round to 'like me'

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well I got 4 magpie ducklings (6weeks old) over a week ago. I know they will not come around fir ages yet BUT they are still soo scared to even move when im near. Iv sat with them tried umpteen different things with food to try tp get them to trust me a little more but no joy at all.

Im not looking a miracle this quick but id like to be able to walk near without them being this scared. I let them out yestetday an come putting in time they ran but they ran into a thorn bush an got hurt. I was goin in slow and low an got 4 foot away when they done this so id hardly suddenly startled them or anything.

Im more worried for their saftey an health than wanting them to come round to 'like me'

Don't let the out to forage yet, give them a couple weeks to get use to their new home and you. About all you can do is is what your doing go out do chores moving slowly and singing or talking to them the whole time but not trying to touch or get to close. When you sit with them read a book or look at nature but not them, if you can find something they really like, mine love dried mealworms and little green peas work too as treats. hopefully after a couple weeks to a month you'll see them getting closer and not being so afraid, but it will take alot of patience and time on your part. Try not to get discouraged being moved from their last home to a new one is hard for ducks they don't do well with change but it can be done.

 

[daniellenadeau]

Try watermelon. I have had my first pair of ducks,Call and Mini Silver Appleyard, for 3 months. They have always gone crazy over watermelon. I also just read to not look directly at them, because they see us as predators. And to start speaking soothingly to them before they can really see you. They also really like kale in their clean pool to dive after.

Well I got 4 magpie ducklings (6weeks old) over a week ago. I know they will not come around fir ages yet BUT they are still soo scared to even move when im near. Iv sat with them tried umpteen different things with food to try tp get them to trust me a little more but no joy at all.

Im not looking a miracle this quick but id like to be able to walk near without them being this scared. I let them out yestetday an come putting in time they ran but they ran into a thorn bush an got hurt. I was goin in slow and low an got 4 foot away when they done this so id hardly suddenly startled them or anything.

Im more worried for their saftey an health than wanting them to come round to 'like me'

 

[WeeNicole]

Thanks folks. I was so worried about them. To be honest it seems they're extra scared of people. Ok with my poultry and dogs even the pigs too but humans big no no. Hate to think the worst that maybe they were mistreated by previous owner...... but it seems possible.

Ive had ducks and ducklings before an never came across this sort of literal fear they have of humans

 

[subhanalah]

Thanks folks. I was so worried about them. To be honest it seems they're extra scared of people. Ok with my poultry and dogs even the pigs too but humans big no no. Hate to think the worst that maybe they were mistreated by previous owner...... but it seems possible.

Ive had ducks and ducklings before an never came across this sort of literal fear they have of humans

I wouldn't jump straight to the conclusion that they were abused just because they don't like you.

Animals that haven't really had human interaction take time to build trust. It's not a problem if your management protocol is more "hands off" in a larger area, but when their whole world is changed and all of a sudden a large predator is taking an interest in them, of course they are frightened of you.

 

[WeeNicole]

Been a bit of confusion here obviously. Wasnt jumping straight to that conclusion at all and especially not 'abused I stated mistreatment as a possibility certainly not as a fact.

Id never say anything for sure if I dont know for sure.