Four Little Duckies Walking In A Row...

I got four ducklings recently. This would be my second time getting ducks, so I already know a little about them. I already knew that they didn’t really like humans.

Birds of all types need to “bond” to a parent in order to survive. When a baby bird hatches, it assumes that the creature taking care of it is its mother. The baby learns everything from the mother: what to eat, what animals to trust. The baby also tends to learn mistrust of humans from the Momma Chicken. This was oftentimes the case when I had chickens. If a hen didn’t like me, chances were her little ones wouldn’t be too fond of me either.

When I had those chickens, I also had three ducks, and no matter how much time I spent with them they hated my presence. It was actually kind of funny. I’d pick one protesting duck up, put her back down, and then she waddle away to her siblings quacking and looking back to make sure I wasn’t following. Then the three ducks would quack all together, and point their bills at the ground. I could swear they were cursing in Duckonese at me.

So with these new ducklings, it was beginning to look like they’d hate me as well. They currently live in a box in the bathroom with a heat lamp, water dish, and food dish. All the comforts of home. Every time I go to pick one up, they run away. When I pick one up, it’ll peep and peep (ducklings don’t quack) like I’m about to eat it.

Knowing this, it was very strange how much they trusted me when they were brought out for a quick jaunt outside. Outside their little box, the ducklings were lost and scared. They huddled together and didn’t know what to do. Then they saw my little dog, a Maltese dog named Bo, and they followed him for a few seconds. Then they saw me, and they followed me around the yard! I sat down in the grass, and they all huddled onto my lap.

The tables had turned. I was now a trustworthy human. Why did the change occur?

My theory was that the ducks--in a completely alien environment to them--recognized me and trusted me because I was the only familiar thing in sight. They were willing to follow me anywhere and seemingly at any distance. Yet when we returned to the box in the bathroom, they still run away from my hand.

An experiment is needed, I think. I’m going to bring the ducklings outside again, and we’ll see if that’s the only way they can begin to fully trust me. I’m thinking repeated outdoor visits and more time spent with them will lead to them not being afraid of me anymore. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Comments and ratings are very much appreciated!