Ducklings

Question
I have 4 Pekin ducklings under 2 weeks old. I feed them gamefeed and water them 3 or more times a day so they learn humans are the givers of all things wonderful and yummy. They are kept inside with us in a clear bin in the living room so they are used to us already being around. I try to pet on them for 30 mintues or an hour everyday but they hate being touched so badly. Pick one up and they all start screaming. They go out and play in the yard (watched of course) once a day too.

Ok questions:

1. My ducks almost attack your hand when you put it in the box with them. They bite all over it and are persistant even if you push them away. I read that ducks will nibble and bite on you if they like you. Kind of like preening you. I was wondering if there were any sources for this. Or is the biting that they are trying to establish a pecking order with you? Should this habit be discouraged when they bite on you or appreciated?

2. They don't like to be touched or picked up at all. I know the best way to tame and bond with them is one on one but... I am wondering if you raise them each apart from each other, will they fight when you introduce them later as one flock? I know they will do a peking order but will they just fight and not bond as a flock?

3. If you let them be in pairs growing up so they don't get lonely, will they fight when you introduce them later?

4. We have a tiny little runt duckling. She is the same age as them all but half the size of the others. She doesn't appear to be growing either. The other duckings are twice as big as she is now. She doesn't eat as long as the other ducks. She has just as much acess and stuff. Her poops are the same size as everyone else's though. Will this become a big problem if she stays signifigantly smaller? I know chickens will pick off the runts but will ducks pick on her? Can she live in a flock sictuation?

Thanks! :)


Answer
Hello Benty,

1. I can't really answer this question. I only raise chickens really, but I try to have only a little contact with them, getting them out every other day or so to hand feed them and to get them used to not being with their Mums, because some of our broodies aren't exactly attentive mothers!! Please let them have access to food and water all the time and they should be able to have it when they need it- it's not fair to withold it just so that they will like you.

2. Yes, they will fight when you re-introduce them if you separate them now, so it isn't worth doing it. They will eventually settle into a pecking order but is it worth it, just so that they will bond with you? At the end of the day you're a person and they're ducklings, so the bond will never be that strong.

3. This question needs re-wording as I don't fully understand it.

4. Are the other ducks picking on her now? If not then she should manage, just make sure she gets her share of the food and water and plenty of it, so that she gets strong.

Thanks for your question.