Why do my ducks hate me?

[Ren2014]

They're still babies and we look like we have "predator" tattoo'd to our foreheads. ;-) Sit with them and try to get to the point where they associate you with yummy treats. I always, use a red solo cup filled with dried meal worms when I give out treats. All I have to do is stand in the door leading outside and shake that darn cup and 99% of them come running. And that's as friendly as our ducks will ever get. Sometimes I can reach out and scratch their necks but that's about the extent of it. But look for the other clues that they really enjoy your company - the way they walk more quickly when coming for treats, the excited twill in their voices, the wagging of tail feathers. You'll get there. Just takes time. I like to pull up and sit down on an over turned 5 gallon bucket, feed treats and talk to each of them like they're my own kids. Spouse thinks I'm loony, but it makes me feel better. And honestly, I think the ducks and geese kinda dig it too....

X2

Why do your ducks hate you? Because you look like a Tyrannosaurus Rex who just isn’t hungry yet. Ducks are prey animals. In the wild, even the appearance of a lion makes a herd of zebra nervous, whether the lion is hungry or not.

Being slow and gentle helps, but it doesn’t work all on its own. Like tmorgan46 said, treats are one of the best ways to win a duck’s heart! You can try offering them lettuce, worms, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, pumpkin, cabbage, etc. (Worms are the best, I think. We raise mealworms just to feed our ducks.) Eventually they might even take it from your hand. They might never be tame enough that you can just walk up to them and pick them up, although I’ve had a few that do that, but with treats they should at least stop running away every time you walk in there.

Most ducks hate being picked up, but most will accept being petted when they’re tame. With some of my more skittish ducks, I touch them or pet them a little whenever I give them a treat.

Oh, and don’t chase them or force catch them unless absolutely necessary. That scares them to death.

X2

First let me say I know your pain. TREATS TREATS TREATS and more TREATS. Sit down at their level and make them come to you for their treats. I do this and mine still think I'm a T-rex. I must say though my Muscovies don't hate me as much as the others do. Good luck with yours.

O, and did I say TREATS?

 

[Ren2014]

Thank you! I've been lurking for a little while now and y'all have been so helpful!