Can any one help me with idea's on how to get my pair of east indie ducks to go in the coop at dusk

[craftydrae]

I hate having to catch my breeding pair of east indie ducks at dusk to put in the chicken coop. they wont go in like the chickens on their own. Any suggestions?? I have their little pond close to the coop where they like to hang out all day to make it faster and less stressful, but they can give me a run for my money some nights. I have a light weight net that if need be I use instead of my hands. Once I have them I sit down and calm them before putting them in the coop. They have to go in there at night as our island is FULL of raccoons and minks. I just hate getting them all up set and wish they would go in on their own.



Drae.

 

[CalBells]

What we did was to first lead them into the house each evening with a hand full of peas. If your ducks will eat out of your hand that might work. Also a long pole in each had can help guide them ahead of you, I did that some in the first weeks. I think it has also helped to wait and feed them their evening meal in the pen at night. I know it is messy to have food and water in their night time pen, but after training they now go right in each evening. I have two runner ducks that are 14 weeks old and my 5 year old daughter lets them out of the pen, across the yard and into their day time run each morning, and back each night.

 

[Mum]

As Calbells states, techniques to encourage your ducks to go to safety each night include "leading" them with treats; guiding them by "herding" with your arms outstretched is another way. Timing is another

I herd my ducks at sunset; by keeping to a routine, they get the idea.

Good luck, it will soon sort itself out, I'm sure.

 

[craftydrae]

Thank you both so much! I have peas put aside for tonight! The ladder to the coop is for chickens.. long and rather thin..the coop is raised off the ground on un even rocky ground which will make herding them in rather challenging.. but I wil start feeding them in the pond.. then I will make a little pea trail that goes up the chicken ladder and into the coop...lol.. will see if they get out of the pond and follow the peas!! We also got our first duck egg this morning from inside the coop! I made a little straw patch in one corner of the coop just for the ducks and it worked!
what other treats do they love?
cheers.
Drae

 

[CalBells]

There is a good chance that your ramp will be too difficult for the ducks. They aren't the most graceful of creatures is it possible to make a wider ramp, or stairs that are more duck friendly? I used to have a ramp to my bathtub pond. The ducks could do it if lead up by peas, but they never went in without guidance. When we dug the tub lower and created an earthen ramp they started spending the day going in and out of their pool. congrats on the egg!

 

[craftydrae]

Great! thank you! I am going to build a fatter duck friendly ramp today when my youngest is having her much needed over due nap!
I have the peas ready and with the new ramp I hope I can train them to go in now on their own. What other treats do they like? and do I have to throw them their feed every day on the ground or can they use the chicken feeder?? I have not seen them use it yet?
Drae

 

[CalBells]

My ducks eat out of a bowl, and I know others use a feeder, so I'm sure yours physically can, not sure if they will though. They like routine, so they could be resistant if they are used to eating off the ground. I have no idea really, maybe someone else can give advice on that? Other treats mine like are meal worms, feeder fish in the the pond, watermelon, peach, fresh corn, any greens. You can also look on the stickies for more ideas: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/242460/the-ultimate-list-of-duck-treats-and-supplements

 

[craftydrae]

I got this old extra large dog crate and spray painted it dark green and filled it with straw for the ducks. I call it the "duck hut" I then made a rock walkway that leads to their pond and down one side. I am thinking that this will be much easier to herd them into with peas and my arms then the coop. I have read that some ducks don't like sharing a coop with chickens so there you go! The crate cost me $25 off our salt spring exchange. I put peas and corn around the enterance for them today and they eat them with out getting spooked! yippie! This will work well to in the spring when I breed the pair.

 

[craftydrae]

The new and improved duck hut! much better! they went right in! with a wave of my arm. this hut has two vents and the door pops up to lock at night. simple and safe for my birds. Thanks for all the tips! cheers!

 

[CalBells]

That's great! Glad it worked out for you all!