They really aren't that bright...

[furbabymum]

My ducks FREAK out whenever they see me and spend the whole time yelling and running. Anyhow, Saturday showed me how dumb they really are. My hubby came in and left the divider gate open. So when I went to grab the food the ducks rushed out of the barn into the dog run.

Here they are looking confused.
Then when I herded them back in they did this:


They crammed themselves between the divider fence and the brooder. I wouldn't have even thought that was possible. I ended up having to fish them all out. UGH!

 

[Oregon Blues]

Ducks aren't particularly dumb, but they do not use the same sort of thought process that humans do. They tend to use a sort of "group think" and they tend to be timid,. So you can't really expect them to act like a Border Collie.

They are smart enough to learn their names, learn routines, be taught tricks and vocabulary. They can figure out puzzles as long as they are not panicky. Your frightening the flock into a corner is hardly proof that they are stupid.

 

[furbabymum]

Ducks aren't particularly dumb, but they do not use the same sort of thought process that humans do. They tend to use a sort of "group think" and they tend to be timid,. So you can't really expect them to act like a Border Collie.

They are smart enough to learn their names, learn routines, be taught tricks and vocabulary. They can figure out puzzles as long as they are not panicky. Your frightening the flock into a corner is hardly proof that they are stupid.

Considering all I've ever done is go in and feed them you'd think they'd be less terrified of me.

The chickens do not behave like this at all.

 

[HauiBali]

Never had smarter birds, really. If they are driven (with walk towards them and a long stick moved very very calm, blocking the way you do not want them to go) to their pen at roughly the same time every night for a few days when the sun nearly settles - you will find out that very soon it is enough to just to walk toward that stick IF it is the time when they should go inside to their duckhouse. I am not an etologist but I think this is the smartest thing I ever seen from a bird of any species: combination and situational awareness - exactly what one can call intelligence.

We have now five runner ducks (one boy, four susies) and they are smarter and more adventurous when we only had two ducks. Roles are clearly visible: the drake leads the flock to promising areas of the garden, and while they graze/bughunt obliviously the youngest one of them keeps a watchful eye: if she peeps (in a "curly" tone) the flock raises heads, all look around and it is the eldest ducks' responsibility to end the alert with a short deep quack.

I rarely go closer to them than my height: it seems to me that it is the intimate zone of our flock. However, if they wish they come very close, to literally stand on my feet. I always let them have at least two ways of "escape" route while shepherding, this can prevent panic. If they are a given a little time they figure out where is the gate of their yard, they learn that if they follow the hose from the pump to the end of the hose there will be water flowing, and if there is no water then thosebins around the garden filled with fresh water (for them and for the wild finches/blackbirds).

Easiest way to earn their respect and love is not just providing their food and water: it is the routine. No, not routine but Routine. That the door of the barn is open at the same angle, that the bowl of their same food is in the same place, that they can immediately swim in the morning to freshen up, that I use the same words and same route when I greet and let them out in the morning etc. Ducks are suspicious to and curious for every change - this behavior keeps them alive in the wild. Constancy - broken with treats and playtime - gives them the most peace, it is the care I keep following.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Never had smarter birds, really. If they are driven (with walk towards them and a long stick moved very very calm, blocking the way you do not want them to go) to their pen at roughly the same time every night for a few days when the sun nearly settles - you will find out that very soon it is enough to just to walk toward that stick IF it is the time when they should go inside to their duckhouse. I am not an etologist but I think this is the smartest thing I ever seen from a bird of any species: combination and situational awareness - exactly what one can call intelligence.

We have now five runner ducks (one boy, four susies) and they are smarter and more adventurous when we only had two ducks. Roles are clearly visible: the drake leads the flock to promising areas of the garden, and while they graze/bughunt obliviously the youngest one of them keeps a watchful eye: if she peeps (in a "curly" tone) the flock raises heads, all look around and it is the eldest ducks' responsibility to end the alert with a short deep quack.

I rarely go closer to them than my height: it seems to me that it is the intimate zone of our flock. However, if they wish they come very close, to literally stand on my feet. I always let them have at least two ways of "escape" route while shepherding, this can prevent panic. If they are a given a little time they figure out where is the gate of their yard, they learn that if they follow the hose from the pump to the end of the hose there will be water flowing, and if there is no water then thosebins around the garden filled with fresh water (for them and for the wild finches/blackbirds).

Easiest way to earn their respect and love is not just providing their food and water: it is the routine. No, not routine but Routine. That the door of the barn is open at the same angle, that the bowl of their same food is in the same place, that they can immediately swim in the morning to freshen up, that I use the same words and same route when I greet and let them out in the morning etc. Ducks are suspicious to and curious for every change - this behavior keeps them alive in the wild. Constancy - broken with treats and playtime - gives them the most peace, it is the care I keep following.

I like your approach.

 

[zooweemama]

Never had smarter birds, really. If they are driven (with walk towards them and a long stick moved very very calm, blocking the way you do not want them to go) to their pen at roughly the same time every night for a few days when the sun nearly settles - you will find out that very soon it is enough to just to walk toward that stick IF it is the time when they should go inside to their duckhouse. I am not an etologist but I think this is the smartest thing I ever seen from a bird of any species: combination and situational awareness - exactly what one can call intelligence.

We have now five runner ducks (one boy, four susies) and they are smarter and more adventurous when we only had two ducks. Roles are clearly visible: the drake leads the flock to promising areas of the garden, and while they graze/bughunt obliviously the youngest one of them keeps a watchful eye: if she peeps (in a "curly" tone) the flock raises heads, all look around and it is the eldest ducks' responsibility to end the alert with a short deep quack.

I rarely go closer to them than my height: it seems to me that it is the intimate zone of our flock. However, if they wish they come very close, to literally stand on my feet. I always let them have at least two ways of "escape" route while shepherding, this can prevent panic. If they are a given a little time they figure out where is the gate of their yard, they learn that if they follow the hose from the pump to the end of the hose there will be water flowing, and if there is no water then thosebins around the garden filled with fresh water (for them and for the wild finches/blackbirds).

Easiest way to earn their respect and love is not just providing their food and water: it is the routine. No, not routine but Routine. That the door of the barn is open at the same angle, that the bowl of their same food is in the same place, that they can immediately swim in the morning to freshen up, that I use the same words and same route when I greet and let them out in the morning etc. Ducks are suspicious to and curious for every change - this behavior keeps them alive in the wild. Constancy - broken with treats and playtime - gives them the most peace, it is the care I keep following.

Well said and I find this to be very true. I have a small flock of 14 ducks and this is EXACTLY how I have handled them. Despite that- they are not lap buddies. I respect them, their space and their species. When I come into their coop- of course they huddle. It's not even routine that I am in there WITH them. lol If I chase them- yes they run (I do not intentionally run at them- I have kids and sometimes running happens and the ducks are unfortunately in the crosshairs of that. Rare but has happened.). I find ducks to be extremely intelligent. I think they are like feathered ninjas. When they see a bird in the sky- the entire flock with seize up. No sound, not a movement- that's smart! They know if I am walking around with the big giant metal feeder- that I have goodies. If I shake it- they come out of the water- the KNOW what is in that thing! It's hilarious. The day I stopped expecting them to be like dogs, was the day I started appreciating them as ducks.

And staying low in height is true for ALL of my birds. My geese, chickens and ducks all appreciate it when I sit down and move slowly. All of them will walk right up to me. Even if I don't have a treat they will just hang out by me.

 

[Haunted55]

I like your approach.

Ditto!!!

 

[jak2002003]

Maybe you should put some of your chickens in with the ducks to show the ducks they don't have to be so afraid of you.

Duck are not as stupid as you think. Mine free range on a small lake in the daytime outside my property. At exactly 4.30pm each day they all line up outside my garden gate and quack loudly for me to brink their food! I open the gate and feed them - then they put themselves into their run for the night and I close the door.

They are all very tame and come running up to anyone near the lake thinking they will get fed. If they spot a potential predator - usually a dog, they sound the alarm and quickly swim out into the lake.

There must be some reason you ducks are afraid of you. Food is key to their hearts, so perhaps give them treats they really like, taking a few minutes each time to be around them. I am sure they must have learned to fear you even more when then got stuck behind that brooder and you had to pick them all up. Just give them some time.

 

[furbabymum]

Maybe you should put some of your chickens in with the ducks to show the ducks they don't have to be so afraid of you.

Duck are not as stupid as you think. Mine free range on a small lake in the daytime outside my property. At exactly 4.30pm each day they all line up outside my garden gate and quack loudly for me to brink their food! I open the gate and feed them - then they put themselves into their run for the night and I close the door.

They are all very tame and come running up to anyone near the lake thinking they will get fed. If they spot a potential predator - usually a dog, they sound the alarm and quickly swim out into the lake.

There must be some reason you ducks are afraid of you. Food is key to their hearts, so perhaps give them treats they really like, taking a few minutes each time to be around them. I am sure they must have learned to fear you even more when then got stuck behind that brooder and you had to pick them all up. Just give them some time.

They are in with my chickens. The duck pen should be done in 2 weeks but until then my chickens, ducks and guineas are together.

I simply haven't seen any of what you all talk about. Maybe it's age. Mine are all roughly all the same age at 10 weeksish.

For the most part my flock is very low maintenance. I just go in once a day and check food and water and then water all the plants I have growing in the run. If the ducks stay in the back of the barn or go out into the run I do not bother them. For some reason they only do that about 1/2 the time and the other 1/2 they spend running about like crazy things trying to avoid me as I do the same exact thing I do every single day.

 

[jak2002003]

Oh, I see. I think its just the ducks are not seeing enough of you to get used to you!

I think just give them time. If only one gets frightened then it passes around all the others.

If you want them to come running to you and loose all their fear, you need to spend some time with then if you can. Also give them special food like mealworms or something else they really love. They will some come then!

good luck with them. I love my duck - and there delicious eggs!!!!