24 hours since first external pip....

[dpenning]

Your going to have to work on getting them to trust you and treats are the best way. You start out in a small fenced in area just being there maybe working around them digging up worms boy my ducks go crazy when they see me get the shovel or start turning over rocks looking for worms once you get them use to you you always feed them in the same place where you want them to be at night even treats are given out at their run at their house ,after you get them use to you and respoding to you then you can try your hand at herding them but to get them off the pond at dusk your going to have to really work on that one maybe once big enough only feed them in the afternoon so they come up to their house/run to eat then close them in the run so they are ready for bed . I have seen many on here once they let their ducks into a pond not being able to get them home safe and secure. Treats are always in the same container you either have a special whistle or words that they get use to and shake the dickens out of the can while doing it they love repetition so they can be trained.

Thanks Miss Lydia!

I put a chair in the corner of their pen and sit out there and read email hoping they will come out of the corner. I've put fresh greens in the pool water and meal worms in hopes I can encourage them but so far no joy. I'll try. We actually have an island in the middle of the pond and I wouldn't mind if they stayed out there but I'm concerned what will happen when the wild geese come back to nest on the island like they have done the last two years. I'm REALLY hoping we can all live in harmony. I may be delusional. I'll keep working at it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

About all you can do. Geese are so territorial when it comes to breeding season I doubt very seriously they will let the ducks share the island with them. Hopefully with patience and practice you'll train them to come home of an afternoon so you can lock them up.

 

[dpenning]

They are starting to come out more with me sitting near but not in the pen. Yesterday I put up some chicken wire to create a run where I can put a pool. Spent some time snuggling the week old babies hoping the big coda should
Come out to investigate. So far they are winning. Can I use berries as a high value treat? They eat the greens I put in the water tub I had I Their pen but only after I
Leave. I need something they like
Enough to follow.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Like blue berries? Try them probably any kind of berry they will like. Precious little tykes