Why are my Pekins not friendly?

[CoriM]

I also find that my ducks personalities go up and down a bit, with some of them becoming more or less friendly, maybe it's hormones?

 

[BelovedBirds]

My "kids" (Lucille and Matilda) are 8 weeks old. Around 4 weeks, they suddenly became skittish and will run away if you get too close. They were continually handled since we got them... hand fed... sung to... I even fell asleep with them cuddled up to me in their pen. We'd take walks outside and they'd follow me all around. Now... not so much. I take them out during the day and bring them in at night. I have to carry them and do everything as slowly as possible trying not to stress them. I have a routine. I always say, "Who wants to go out to go swimmin' ??". Lucille always goes first and once both are out they get hand-fed some dried mealworms. We have conversations. I talk to them all day long like they're little kids and they quack back. They get excited when they see me and flap their wings, but I can't naturally get close or have them come to me. We tried letting them graze in the yard. Trying to wrangle them in was ugly. I want them to be able to do what is natural for them, but I don't want to terrify them by having to chase them around. I will be moving them to a run with a coop shortly, but still plan on bringing them in at night.
I read somewhere they can go through a stage where they can become like defiant "teenagers". I'm mildly heartbroken because I expected to have these social butterflies and get to experience their friendly, loving Pekin nature. Is this just a stage and I should ride it out with the hope they come around? Or am I doomed?

Don't be too disheartened!
It sounds like they do love you.

We have to be careful with our expectations when it comes to ducks, they're not likely to be like dogs or cats in terms of affection- and that's because unlike dogs and cats, ducks are prey animals. No matter how well they're raised or socialised, they will always have the more deeply engraved instinct to be wary of big animals.

My girls I raised, are very sweet- very loving. But if I approach them too quickly, they'll tell me that they don't feel good about it and move away from me. So I always approach them slowly, and try to stay on their level as much as possible so I'm not too big in their eyes. And that makes them much calmer. The more time I spend with them, the more outgoing they are with me, with or without treats (though treats certainly help!). If I sit on the ground, they usually come over after a bit of waiting.

Sometimes they enjoy a cuddle, or following me about, and other days they enjoy some space- on top of their instincts as prey animals, they can have different moods just like us!

It sounds like you have very social ducks, they could be going through a phase, or their relationship with you could be changing as they age. Either way, it sounds like they love and appreciate you!

 

[KathiQuacks]

I don’t know if I’ve ever actually seen a true cuddly duck before It seems to always either be someone’s lone duck, or someone misinterpreting mating behavior. Would love to see it, though!

I want to say.. I spoke too soon. Since posting this, I’ve been able to approach & pet one of my ducks on her chest. She was clearly a bit nervous, but still let me do it!!

And just now, one of my ducks walked over and fell asleep right next to me

I don’t know if I’d say cuddly, but pretty darn close! I think my daily mealworm feedings are paying off

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I just leave my cuddling for my half blind duck. As long as it's on her blind side, she let's me touch and mess with her

 

[Dontworrybequacky]

I'm so glad that you asked about your teenaged ducks. I was wondering if we had traumatized our 6 week old gang of Indian Runners. We made them a temporary run and fed them their treats there for about 4 days and then they could no longer be coaxed out the door of their brooder house. I was congratulating myself too soon on training them to associate treat time with ringing the brass bell we mounted in their house. They would come running to me at the sound of the bell and then, about 10 days ago, no more. "We would rather pile up in this corner than even think about crossing that threshold".
My husband bought them a kiddie pool for the run, "no way, we ain't going out" He built them a ramp and covered it with straw to conceal the threshold. It defies logic that they would grow old in a 10 x 10 room and never again venture out that open door. Each night I spend some time with them, giving treats and changing bedding. About half of them are still happy to be hand fed. It is so funny. I make eye contact with one who is sort of hanging back and he knows that I am calling him to the peas.
I call them my little babies, but ducks are weird!!