When is the "don't touch me!" stage?

[lovesgliders]

I've heard several duck owners refer to this stage but I'm not sure when I should be on the lookout for it. Appreciate any insight. Thanks!

 

[duckyfromoz]

I have actually found that it can happen at different times with different groups that I hatch. Some may be like that between day 3 - 10 - others from 3 - 4 weeks on. I find that handling and which brooder they are in contributes alot to how calm or how flighty they can become. But with some groups- I dont experience it at all.

 

[lovesgliders]

Quote:
Thanks so much! My duckies are acting kinda skittish today for some reason. They are 3 weeks old tomorrow. So I am hoping that is all this is: just a stage!

 

[GrannyCarol]

I have ducklings that go skittish about then and stay that way for some time (months), but gradually calm down and are all cool. I have a fair number of ducks, they don't get a lot of actual handling. Right now I have a group of 12 9 week olds that panic when I move around them, I'll be glad when they outgrow that! Silly ducklings!

 

[Amiga]

My runners hit that "you're an axe murderer!" stage at about three weeks, if I recall. Duckyfromoz helped me out immensely with that.

It took a few months for that stage to completely pass. But they began to calm down when I changed some behaviors of my own.

I gave them more treats, let them out of the big brooder before changing bedding, spent time sitting on the floor talking to them and singing to them, tried to approach from as low a physical position as possible (keeps me young doing that).

It was heartbreaking to see it, and the change seemed to be overnight.

They're now sixteen months old and much, much more calm.

 

[gofasterstripe]

Yep mine were like that too untill I started letting them out into the yard with the big ducks..thee big ducks are now the axe murderers and im their friend

 

[Rosebud 18]

My runners are 11 wks. old and they have thought I was an ax murderer from day 1. I wonder if they will ever calm down. My harlequins are the calmest breed that I have. I got a pair of pekins last year and fell in love with them. I ordered 3 welsh harlequins, 3 swedish, 2 runners and a pair if pilgrim gesse from Metzers. I also ordered 10 runners from Holderreads. I was suppose to get them all at the same time which is what I wanted but Holderread was 2 wks. late in sending them. So the first group stays together, the pekins stay together and the last group stay together and are still wild as bats. All my ducks and chickens and gander are in an acre pen but they all stay in their little groups. They have seperate pens each group goes in at night.

 

[lovesgliders]

Argh, it is so much worse today! They are even scared of their treat bowl! (Every morning I give them "soup" which is just a pie plate full of water with some bits of veggies in it.)

They are three weeks on the nose today. I am so depressed... I miss my sweet little ducklings. They seem to have decided that they hate me overnight.

 

[mandelyn]

My babies just started the "I hate you" phase as of 4 days day ago, so one week and 3 days of age for me. They started out so promising too! They're not too bad though. That means I can start vent sexing without worrying about them hating me, since they already do.

The ducks outside.. the call boys seem to have come out of it at week 5, and the older 3 girls came out of it at week 9. They all approach me on their own now. And talk to me, it's cute. They shut up as soon as my husband comes out, they don't like him much. They hunker down and give him the stink eye. But they walk towards me talking up a storm.

The babies still talk to me, so I know they're don't REALLY hate me, they're just in that phase.

 

[LemonDoodles]

It took me 3 months of daily handling and treats to not be frightened. Now they follow me. It takes patience.