Can't get my muscovy's to go inside at night

[Going Quackers]

As long as I go outside to a certain corner just outside the run with something in my hands, EVERYONE comes running. If they are off in the woods, I call "chick a lickins" (don't ask me why) and, this afternoon, I had juvenile muscovy flying out of the woods and chickens jogging in to find out what I had for them. I think a "special" call is important that way you can get everyone (hopefully) in if there is something going on or if you need to lock them up early.

Too funny. I have never done a vocal command, they just seem to know when we want them to herd and come in, i think i'm around horses too much, i don't have to voice command much with them, there funny in how they learn what you mean by gestures and looks lol

 

[jdywntr]

Ya. If mine are close I don't call but if some are off somewhere then I call. Now, with all of the juveniles I'm using 2 bamboo poles to assist with herding into the coop. Basically so I don't have to go out yet again.

 

[coopscritters]

Thanks for all the input. I guess you can tell we're pretty new at all this.
We feed and water them in the pen but we got most of them as adults and I guess they teach the young. We have had to disrupt them moving them in with chickens for the winter until we build a barn. P. built them a really nice little duck house and they hate it so we're going to have to come up with an entirely new arrangement for the summer. I'm sure they'd like the entire garage but they are a poopy bunch an I want the dog run back.
I guess our real problem is we didn't know we'd like them so much. They were intended for "you know what" but thats never going to happen now as I just love them and they are part of our yard scape.
We're learning and of course this means changing things to make it work. We'll just have to go slow with this bunch.
Happy first day of Spring we just got a foot + of snow last night.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thanks for all the input. I guess you can tell we're pretty new at all this.
We feed and water them in the pen but we got most of them as adults and I guess they teach the young. We have had to disrupt them moving them in with chickens for the winter until we build a barn. P. built them a really nice little duck house and they hate it so we're going to have to come up with an entirely new arrangement for the summer. I'm sure they'd like the entire garage but they are a poopy bunch an I want the dog run back.
I guess our real problem is we didn't know we'd like them so much. They were intended for "you know what" but thats never going to happen now as I just love them and they are part of our yard scape.
We're learning and of course this means changing things to make it work. We'll just have to go slow with this bunch.
Happy first day of Spring we just got a foot + of snow last night.

A foot of snow, poor things!! I whistle, mine all know if I whistle they are going to get something special. this way when they are out foraging I can get them all safely back inside the fence or into their house for the night, Like you and everyone has said they don't like change but can be taught to go inside at night it just taskes persisitance and patience.

 

[coopscritters]

Thanks for all the input. I guess you can tell we're pretty new at all this.
We feed and water them in the pen but we got most of them as adults and I guess they teach the young. We have had to disrupt them moving them in with chickens for the winter until we build a barn. P. built them a really nice little duck house and they hate it so we're going to have to come up with an entirely new arrangement for the summer. I'm sure they'd like the entire garage but they are a poopy bunch an I want the dog run back.
I guess our real problem is we didn't know we'd like them so much. They were intended for "you know what" but thats never going to happen now as I just love them and they are part of our yard scape.
We're learning and of course this means changing things to make it work. We'll just have to go slow with this bunch.
Happy first day of Spring we just got a foot + of snow last night.