Long story short...my son brought home an orphaned mallard. Please don't tell me that it is illegal, etc...the bottom line is that he brought it home, we sheltered it and gave it food, and it ate and grew, and now we have a responsibility to it. Obviously it was lonely and we put it in the coop with our lone D'uccle. Turns out they became friends and now, when the hen climbs the STEEP ramp to go perch at night, the duckling cries and cries. I have been hesitant to put him in the coop because I'm afraid he will come barrelling out of there in the morning and injure himself. Ducks don't strike me as the type to climb a ramp. We have been letting him go under the shelter of the coop at night, but I know he is scared and lonely. Can he learn to use the ramp? His legs are so much different than the chicken (short and stubby...not efficient for walking!!) Any suggestions? Appreciate it!
My call ducks had a ramp in their old pen. Now, in their new pen, they have a ramp to the pool. Ducks can learn to use a ramp, but they can fall off too. So maybe you could put sides to your ramp, so he won't fall off the side. That would work, and you wouldn't have to worry about him getting hurt.
If its off the ground the duck will probably not attempt it. Ducks aren't graceful. They can climb little ramps (like into a kiddy pool) but higher steep ones are hard for them. I wouldn't try it. If it falls off and hurts itself you'll feel worse than you do just having to listen to lonely crying at night.
I'm giving up on the ramp idea. I just wish my son never brought him home. He is just as sweet as can be. I'm secretly hoping he will find a mate and fly away. He is only 6-8 weeks old, we are guessing. Just a big ole baby... It is better for him to sleep below the coop. He is safe, as it is fully enclosed. I know he is safe, and he stops crying when it gets dark. BantyHugger, I agree with what you are saying.