Bringing them off of the pond.

[Jeniep]

I am trying to convience my ducks to come off the pond into our garage full of straw for the bitter cold nights. They do not want to leave the pond. Sleeping on the ice near the open water. Any ideas?

 

[Pyxis]

Where do you feed them? If you want them to come in at night and they won't, then just wait until it's time for bedtime to feed them and feed them in the place you want them to go to.

Is the garage heated? If so I would avoid putting them in there, since it's bad for them to experience rapid temp swings and they are very cold hardy animals. Better to lock them up in the duck coop instead to keep them safe from predators and out of the wind, and not allow them to get accustomed to warmer temps so they don't get shocked when they go back out in the morning. If it's not heated then the garage will work fine

 

[Jeniep]

No garage is not heated. They do not have a duck house. I could never get them to go in their shelter. They eat under the tree next to the pond. I thought I might herd them into the garage so they could be out of the wind? They will not leave the pond.

 

[Pyxis]

If you can herd them into the garage then I would go ahead and do it. Luring them with food will work too if you don't feed them during the day and then lure them into the garage with dinner

 

[Jeniep]

Hey thanks, I will try it!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did it work?

 

[Jeniep]

Unfortunately it did not work. They don’t care what I have. They are living on the ice. I think they might be penguins!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are a very high risk for predators. I would get help and herd slowly inside. then reward with treats or feed. and fresh water.

 

[Table4Six]

@Miss Lydia is right. Predators could very easily attack and kill them. How many ducks do you have? My ducks are constantly playing on our small lake, but they always put themselves to bed at night. If food isn't working, you just need to gently force them into your garage for their own safety.

 

[Jeniep]

I think that is why they are staying on the ice, they still have acess to the water and they feel safe there. They are in the middle of the pond and won’t even come near the edge. Only thing I can think of to do, is call the fire department. Not sure how that would go?