Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
My neighbor gave me 4 ducks last week and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about ducks and thier behavior.

I have a few hens and except being birds, that seems to be that's all they have incommon )

Here are some of my questions:
first, my ducks are 3 Indian Runners 2 female, 1 male; and 1 male Rouen (sp?)

I'm probably comparing them to my hens:
My ducks:
they seem to always be nervous and run away when i come out so do they ever get used to the activity around the house?
do they come up to you like hens do? and feed from your hand?
do they put themselves away at dusk?
if they roam the property, would they come back inside their pen?
do they get along with hens and roosters?
the previous owner just fed them what the hens eat-lay mash and fresh veggies, is that ok?
if they see other ducks in the air, will they fly away to join them?

Thank you for any info.
Monica

I'm probably comparing them to my hens:
My ducks:
they seem to always be nervous and run away when i come out so do they ever get used to the activity around the house?
Yes, they do, but they will always be a little skittish. They like their lives to be quiet and orderly.
do they come up to you like hens do? and feed from your hand?
Yes, they will.
do they put themselves away at dusk?
Yes, if you train them to.
if they roam the property, would they come back inside their pen?
Yes, ours get to roam our small backyard,but they always come back to their shed. (mostly because that's where their food is.)
do they get along with hens and roosters?
Yes, they do. We have a mixed flock of ducks, chickens and pheasants. They generally get along quite well.

the previous owner just fed them what the hens eat-lay mash and fresh veggies, is that ok?
if they see other ducks in the air, will they fly away to join them?

Sorry,I should have grabbed those last questions.

Yes, if they are not acclimated to your home, they will fly off. You need to clip wings for this year.

We feed ours Grower-Cal and cracked corn and give them left overs from human meals, too.