Imprinted Ducks

[ojwilliams]

My ducks are imprinted on me (or so I thought) and yet I almost lost them to a wild mallard?

I hatched them and spent time with them everyday (holding, feeding, etc). They follow me everywhere and quack when I’m not around.

They are now 6 weeks old, today we were at the lake and a mallard duck came close by. My ducks started following it. I was calling for them to come back and they didn’t turn back until they were maybe 40 yards away.

The wild mallard then kept coming back as if to claim them.

Do I need to be worried? I thought if they were imprinted on me they’d stay away from other ducks.

 

[KathiQuacks]

They sound imprinted on you. However, 6 weeks is old enough for ducklings to start branching out and becoming a bit more independent from mama.

Sounds like the mallard and your ducklings were more curious in one another.

I would say though, if it’s that easy for them to wander off, it may be best to keep them closer to home until they learn what “home” is. I’ve had adult ducks choose the water over their coop, and it’s terrifying. It’s hard to get them back unless they have reason to come back.

 

[ojwilliams]

They sound imprinted on you. However, 6 weeks is old enough for ducklings to start branching out and becoming a bit more independent from mama.

Sounds like the mallard and your ducklings were more curious in one another.

I would say though, if it’s that easy for them to wander off, it may be best to keep them closer to home until they learn what “home” is. I’ve had adult ducks choose the water over their coop, and it’s terrifying. It’s hard to get them back unless they have reason to come back.

Thanks, will do. I usually take peas with me because they always respond to peas but I didn’t have any this time!