Terrified Ducklings

[Mtnboomer]

Hello everyone,
I have been reading posts here for about a year and decided to join. You guys have helped me out greatly as my wife and I build our backyard flock.
We have had adult Brahma chickens (hens) and several roos for the last 8mos. Recently, we decided to add ducklings (2 pekin and 2 unknown). It is still quite cold here in the mountains of VA so for the last 2wks they have been in an enclosure in our basement.
We are excited to welcome them to our family and visit with them multiple times a day and hold them and offer treats. However, they are terrified by us. They run and scream making us have to capture them in order to hold and show no interest in the treats we offer.
Are we stressing them out? Will they eventually come around?
Thanks.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

My ducklings went through phases so far. My first few days they were terrified of me. Then they warmed up and was eating out of my hand. Next thing I know they were scared of me again. They are back eating out of my hand now and their peeps are getting deeper.

 

[Jpat]

My ducklings went through phases so far. My first few days they were terrified of me. Then they warmed up and was eating out of my hand. Next thing I know they were scared of me again. They are back eating out of my hand now and their peeps are getting deeper.

X2 on that

How old were they when you gottem?

Seams the older they are when you get them and the more of them, the less they like human interaction

But everything @A_Fowl_Guy is the norm!

Chasing them makes it worse

 

[sylviethecochin]

The only ducks I've ever had that were truly tame were either Muscovies, or raised in solitary with chicks. I find that ducks, in general, are paranoid.

 

[Jpat]

Yup! paranoid. My hen chickens bow at my feet while my drake tells me off

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

The only ducks I've ever had that were truly tame were either Muscovies, or raised in solitary with chicks. I find that ducks, in general, are paranoid.

 

[LilyLoo]

Welcome! Spend as much time as you can with them. Talk to them as you enter their area so they get use to the routine that you are coming to them and have goodies for them to eat. I always say "Hi girls" before I get to the duck room door so they know it's me. They listen to everything. It may take time but be patient You could even turn on a low Mello music once in awhile so they get use to sounds and voices. Sounds silly but it helps too. Post pics so we can all see the babies.

 

[Duckworth]

My ducks are skittish of me if they think I am going to pick them up or touch them. I picked them up and held them gently a few times a day when they were ducklings and carried them in and out of the house to their temporary pen while I was building their permanent home. They never liked it. They will come up if I am feeding them, but, being flightless prey animals with little ability to defend themselves, I think they have an instinctive fear of being caught. I, too, call to them as I approach so they know it's me.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Here they are! They tolerate me being at the edge of their enclosure but still freak out when I slowly reach for them.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Here they are! They tolerate me being at the edge of their enclosure but still freak out when I slowly reach for them.View attachment 1705640

That's probably because they're older. They're cut and will be pretty ducks!