Trying to rescue two ducks.I need guidance?

[the_hunter]

if you get as close as you can bend or sit down throw them a few treats and stay still , they will eventually come over for the food

and if you can herd them in towards your garden while throwing treats or bread in front of them

 

[desertdarlene]

Cracked corn or chicken scratch is very popular with most ducks. It's like candy to them. Also, bread is good in small amounts, temporarily. Once you've got their trust, then you can start feeding them proper healthy food.

 

[Friend of Feathers]

I agree with luring them with water. You could try enticing them with earthworms. My duck never gave me the time of day until I became the worm finder

 

[GrannyCarol]

Another thing to keep in mind (and it may not work, but I'd try it) is that ducks will allow themselves to be herded quite easily. Now my own ducks are slowly trained as ducklings to learn to respond to my body language communications - I lean a little or put a hand out and wiggle my fingers and they know where to move. Mostly they move away from "pressure" and you have to learn how close to come and how slowly to move not to panic them. Two or three people could pretty easily guide ducklings into a wide opening, IF they were experienced at moving ducks. Move very slowly, approach only until you get movement form the ducklings, then wait until they stop, watch to see how they respond. At the range where they start to respond to you try moving an arm out slowly, then maybe wiggling your fingers. They move away from movement. They respond to the pressure of your "eye" like they would to a herding dog too, kinda hard to explain, but when I pick one out of the flock to catch I start watching her, the others move away from her and she knows who I want. I enjoy this communication with my ducks. I can see why people use Runner ducks to train herding puppies. BTW, those do look very much like Runner ducks. I hope you can find a way to help them.

 

[tdgill]

I keep forgetting about the herding advice! Very well said Granny!

 

[jbowyer01]

Just an update..

The owner has them locked up in his back yard. I guess he figured out what I was up too. I'm glad they are off the street but they only have a bucket for a water source. I am assuming that he is feeding them. Another good aspect is they do have grass and lots of weeds to search for bugs and such. Thank you all for the advise, it was greatly appreciated.

 

[lovin my birds]

I would keep watching them, and make sure that he is feeding them. Bugs and grass are not enough to give them a healthy diet. And if those ducks are let out or even get out again, i wouldnt hesitate to take them. If they are not on his property then they are basically wild or "strays" lol! Hopefully he will take better care of them.