How do I get my ducks in at night?

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wantbantams

wantbantams

Chirping
7 Years
Apr 14, 2012
211
2
93
I rescued 2 ducks and they went into the chicken coop for 2 nights and then they found the pond. They have not left the pond in the 2 months that we have had them. We do have LGD that are protecting them, but I do not want them to sleep outside anymore. I want them to be safe and get a good nights sleep in a shelter. How do I get them to come in? I tried a live trap and was able to get 1, but not the other. So it was sad :( Help me please!!!
 
My momma used to say, "you draw more flies with honey than with vinegar."

I have found that treats (bribes) can work well. At the same time, load up on your patience.

Giving treats in the night shelter during the day can make it become a nice place to go. If you consistently offer treats there in the evening, it can bring the ducks in.

You may need to start offering the treats on the shore. Then offer them ten feet closer to the shelter, then another ten feet, and so on. This could take a while. But generally this kind of approach works.
 
X2, Amiga.

wantbantams, do you have a fenced enclosure around your coop? I feed my ducks inside the enclosure in the morning with enough feed to last until 1-2PM - I leave the gate open during the day. I then feed them again around 5 PM (sometimes they demand it earlier!!). After they go into the enclosure to eat I lock the gate behind them. It then becomes easy to get them into the coop at dark.

My coop is next to my pond and I fenced part of the pond so they have access to water when locked in the enclosure.

Good luck!
 
I take a less nice-y approach. I herd mine in every night, waving my hands around. Doesn't take much coaxing.
I could wait for them to go in themselves but that's around dusk and it's dangerous to leave them out that late.
 
cosbackyard said:
I take a less nice-y approach. I herd mine in every night, waving my hands around. Doesn't take much coaxing.
I could wait for them to go in themselves but that's around dusk and it's dangerous to leave them out that late.
Click to expand...

This is what I do too. I don't have to wave my arms though. Just me walking behind them and WALKING them (don't run them!) they learned to go into their covered run at night. Let me tell you, its easier than herding cattle!
 
I tried herding at one point in my short duck management career but the pond was always the most attractive place for them to go in the afternoon and once they got on it around dusk it would have taken a fleet of canoes to get them back off.

Not sure if herding ducks is easier than dairy cattle but certainly easier than herding cats
gig.gif
 
Carcajou said:
I tried herding at one point in my short duck management career but the pond was always the most attractive place for them to go in the afternoon and once they got on it around dusk it would have taken a fleet of canoes to get them back off.

Not sure if herding ducks is easier than dairy cattle but certainly easier than herding cats
gig.gif
Click to expand...

Oh I am talking BEEF cattle; those things SEE a horse and get ready to bolt! Herding cats....I wanna see that one! HA.
 
I had the SAME exact question a couple nights ago! My friend (who owns a farm), came over and used a long pole to herd them. She simply walked around and would put the pole out to shield them from going the direction she didn't want them to go. Straight into the house they went. The next night, I did the same thing. straight into the house. TONIGHT, I grabbed the pole from the garage and never even got near the pond. The second they saw the pole, they immediately walked right up and went into their house!! it's AMAZING!
 

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