new duck owner

[anaduckie]

i have had my ducklings for about 3 weeks and they are not socializing with me. I have 3 of them. is it too late? how do i teach them to trust me?

[Evy]

They're too old to ''bond'' with you, which isn't recommended anyway. However, you don't want them frightened of you either, so just talk to them quietly whenever you're around them, don't try to pick them up. Birds are a ''prey species'' & being caught up to them means they're about to be eaten! You can offer feed & green treats while sitting near them & they will come to trust you. Just remember that they're not puppies or kittens. Enjoy them as they are.

[Jade]

Don't worry. Like Evy wrote, if you give them treats they will grow to trust you. Don't make sudden movements towards them. Not to give ducks human emotions, but my flock seem to "love" me! They make me chuckle to watch them come racing when they hear my voice. When they see me, it means food or treats. They'll call out to me when they even hear my footsteps on the gravel drive. Sometimes, when they're all settled in their pen and I don't want to disturb them, I literally tiptoe so they don't hear me. LOL They'll call out to me when they hear my car coming down the driveway, just like my parrots. As much as they will come a running anytime, they won't let me pick them up without a fight, so I don't unless I have to treat one. I sometimes wish they would let me pet them and hold them in my lap, but that's not what they do naturally, so I simply enjoy watching them.

[anaduckie]

fine, i won't make them act like kittens. i was wondering why they were freaking out when i picked them up. lol. you're right i'll just feed them treats. they're are still cute.

<3