can I use a dusk to dawn automatic door for my ducks?

[hadleylj]

I am hoping to get s few ducks in the near future. I have an old chicken house (we had to expand our henhouse) that we could convert for ducks, I think. We have trouble with night predators here so my chickens have the pullet-shut automatic door in the new henhouse. Will the ducks go into their house at night like the chickens do?

 

[Amiga]

I am not sure they will reliably do that. My ducks had to be herded into their house at night at first. Nowadays, their night shelter is not adjacent to the day pen so I walk them in.

 

[enriquec]

I had the same idea. Still never did the automatic.

Mine were very easy to train to go into the greenhouse at night. I'll admit, they sometimes stay out late now. A few times they've tried sleeping outside but when they get scared they run to bed.

I think it's being teenagers. Staying up late, starting to experiment sexually, they get embarrassed if other birds see us together.

For the most part, they're usually in and out of bed sun to dusk. If you use a timer, I'd just keep a close eye on them when you're around. Make sure everything's good. Train them first. It took me only a few days

 

[hadleylj]

Thanks for your thoughts. I will be getting my first ducks. I am thinking Kahki Campbells would be good to start with. Any other advise?

 

[Amiga]

I would read Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, and the Sticky on Raising Ducklings here, and search the archives for specific things especially water.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/641902/created-a-water-saver-for-my-duck-brooder

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/679433/water-water-everywhere/10

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/858161/feed-water-solution-for-brooder#post_12901321

http://frankiemakes.blogspot.ca/2012/06/watering-solution-for-ducks.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/259876/do-your-ducks-have-water-at-night/10#post_13568197

These are a sample of good ideas for water management.

 

[hadleylj]

Thank you!