Advice please.

[Dreena]

I live on a very large lake and I have 7 Pekin ducks two male and five female. They have a hutch which they go in at night and the females have nests in the hutch, my question is if I let them out on to the big lake will they come back at night since I've trained them to go in the huch all ready?

 

[onaharley]

I am not sure. It might have to be a trial and error thing. Where is their house at? On the lake or up on land? You could try it, but be prepared with a boat or raft if you need to gather them up if they don’t come in.

 

[Dreena]

Their Hutch is up on a hill a little ways from the lake. I've let one out at a time and they come back up the hill but I think it's because the other ducks are still in the pen.

 

[CrystaBub]

I started training my ducks to go into their house at night with food - meal worms - their favorite. I sprinkled a few in their house the first night and they just looked at me. After I forced them in, they were in heaven. By the third night they went in on their own. Did this for a few nights and now i just put the ramp down and they go in on their own. Maybe if you start calling them with a single word and they know that they'll get a treat, they'll come off the lake. I guess it depends on if there are better treats in the lake

 

[onaharley]

Their Hutch is up on a hill a little ways from the lake. I've let one out at a time and they come back up the hill but I think it's because the other ducks are still in the pen.

oh and where are my manners........

 

[onaharley]

I started training my ducks to go into their house at night with food - meal worms - their favorite. I sprinkled a few in their house the first night and they just looked at me. After I forced them in, they were in heaven. By the third night they went in on their own. Did this for a few nights and now i just put the ramp down and they go in on their own. Maybe if you start calling them with a single word and they know that they'll get a treat, they'll come off the lake. I guess it depends on if there are better treats in the lake

Great point with the call, the more repetitive you are with calling the better. Ducks love consistency!!

 

[Dreena]

Ok thank you all!
And thanks for the welcome

 

[onaharley]

You're very welcome!