My first ducklings

[atomic]

I had a couple magpies some years ago and they’re my favorite kind of ducks that I’ve had. Which includes pekins, Rouen, saxony, now I have some Swedish/cayuga crosses. The magpies were so sweet. Good luck with your little ones, get them swimming in the tub! Mine love it and I sprinkle some chopped spinach too.

 

[dragonmaker]

All of my ducks do NOT like to be held. They are very skittish. We’ve been trying to handle them bunches but they are still terrified of being held. We thought we were getting calm breeds. If this is calm I’d hate to see what a skittish duck is like… is this normal?

 

[hammyanne]

Congrats on your new ducks! I got khaki Campbell and a Cayuga last year and they DESPISED being handled—they still do. I’ve always been surprised by people who have friendly ducklings/ducks!

If it’s any consolation, my girls are a year old now and they get very excited to see me (head bobbing, quacking, following me around the garden), but they still don’t like it when I get too close. I consider them friendly and happy ducks, just not cuddly.

 

[MS_pond]

I swear my ducks grew perceptibly overnight when they were ducklings, those first few days.

 

[Yardmom]

Ducks are not going to be cuddly like a dog or cat. Most ducks will never want picked up. It is common for ducklings to be very skittish. There instincts to run and hide from predators is very strong.
One thing that can help is not to approach from the top. Move slow and from the sides. If you continue to handle them they will calm as they get older.

 

[dragonmaker]

Check out how big my babies are!