Will mail order day old ducklings imprint?

[nathanmouse]

Im getting ducklings this spring, Im so excited, I haven't had ducks for several years. so im just wondering, will mail order ducklings, supposedly "day olds" imprint on me? i would love it if they did, but if not, i can still bond with them. SO EXCITING!

 

[Tevyes Dad]

You will probably have the same kind of results we had since you have multiple ducklings. I have seen lots of posts with lots of focus on imprinting, but my experience is the ducklings love you, but you have to reform your relationship with your ducks. I wasn't sure if this was imprinting or not. So your question prompted me do do some searches, and this web page matches my experience exactly. I got 11 day olds from Metzer Farms so my circumstance is the same as you will have too. So my answer is yes, but not the same was as a single house duck would. <<< MISS LYDIA >>> SInce you have ducks and geese can you chime in?????

The web page is: http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id6.html

 

[Miss Lydia]

You will probably have the same kind of results we had since you have multiple ducklings. I have seen lots of posts with lots of focus on imprinting, but my experience is the ducklings love you, but you have to reform your relationship with your ducks. I wasn't sure if this was imprinting or not. So your question prompted me do do some searches, and this web page matches my experience exactly. I got 11 day olds from Metzer Farms so my circumstance is the same as you will have too. So my answer is yes, but not the same was as a single house duck would. <<< MISS LYDIA >>> SInce you have ducks and geese can you chime in?????

The web page is: http://www.thegoosesmother.com/id6.html

Great website gentila, as for imprinting I think you gave the correct answer when getting multiple ducklings it isn't the same as raising just one, they will imprint on who is caring for them where multiple will imprint on each other but you will still bond with them and they you. I really think that's the best way having experience of imprinted duckling who turned out to be a drake and really got confused as to what he was and his place in our lives and his. It all worked out but I think you'll enjoy your relationship with your ducklings too just spend alot of time just sitting on the floor with them while little that is the best bonding time. And be sure to let us know what breed and when they will ship so we can be watching and waiting with you.

some really good info on raising and caring for your lil charges https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/750869/raising-and-caring-for-ducklings#post_10611711

 

[nathanmouse]

Thanks for the answers both of you! I do realize that the bond would be better with just one duckling, but I myself am against having one single duckling.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for the answers both of you! I do realize that the bond would be better with just one duckling, but I myself am against having one single duckling.

I agree with that and I wouldn't have had a single duckling either if it's mama hadn't rejected him. It was a fun time having him in the house but I'm glad he is now out with the flock doing duck stuff.

 

[Crazy4Fowl]

I'm getting 2 ducklings in February, will they imprint on me or each other more than me?

 

[needlessjunk]

I got 4 ducklings when they were day olds and they imprinted on each other. My personal opinion is that one will imprint but when you have more than one the amount of time it takes to get them to imprint is insane. Unless you can spend 24/7 with them for a few days they will imprint on each other. That doesn't mean that they won't be friendly to you and I think it is better they imprint on each other so they don't freak out when you aren't with them.

 

[Crazy4Fowl]

I got 4 ducklings when they were day olds and they imprinted on each other. My personal opinion is that one will imprint but when you have more than one the amount of time it takes to get them to imprint is insane. Unless you can spend 24/7 with them for a few days they will imprint on each other. That doesn't mean that they won't be friendly to you and I think it is better they imprint on each other so they don't freak out when you aren't with them.

What if I have one live with my bantam chicken and I spend a lot of time with the other one... Also they will be most likely living with my bantam chicken. Will they imprint on her?

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Based on the webpage I found, all of the ducklings should imprint on their keepers as Mama duck. However, with ducks mama duck isn't important to a grown duck. That relationship you will have to cultivate separately. If a lone duckling imprints on their keeper without any other ducklings or ducks present then it will think that it is human. This can cause confusion and problems with the full grown duck if it is expected to integrate with other ducks later. If it's going to spend its life as a lone house duck, this might be fine. But keep in mind companionship is very important to ducks so if everyone in your household is off to work or school for 8 hours then a lone duck is likely to be unhappy.

 

[Crazy4Fowl]

Based on the webpage I found, all of the ducklings should imprint on their keepers as Mama duck. However, with ducks mama duck isn't important to a grown duck. That relationship you will have to cultivate separately. If a lone duckling imprints on their keeper without any other ducklings or ducks present then it will think that it is human. This can cause confusion and problems with the full grown duck if it is expected to integrate with other ducks later. If it's going to spend its life as a lone house duck, this might be fine. But keep in mind companionship is very important to ducks so if everyone in your household is off to work or school for 8 hours then a lone duck is likely to be unhappy.

Thanks for the info. But can a duck be really imprinted on you and live in a coop with another duck