Since ducks don't come in at night like chickens...what should I do about them? We have a 6 line barbed wire fence on one side, rest is field fencing. There is a large pond a little ways into this horse neighbors yard, the one with the barbed fence. Then there is a creek running on the back and other side of our land. It's about 4.8 acres, btw. Do you think the ducks will run off to the creek or pond? Will they come back to eat? They are 3 Pekings, 3 Khaki and 3 Mallard[maybe], I'll have a kiddy pool for the ducks and a shelter if they want it. Though mine rarely use it other than for shade! Any help would be great. I'm just not sure if I should sell them or make them a pen w/large cage. I'd rather free range them like the chickens...
Quote:I don't think the problem would them running off as much as predators eating them. A barbed wire fence isn't going to stop a fox or weasel, nor even a neighbors dog. I'd free range them during the day, and lock them up at night. Good luck!!
You can train them with food and treats by herding them into a night pen and feeding and use a word cue.."bedtime" or 'dinner" works for me. The chance of them surviving left out all night is very slim, ....wonder where the term "sittting duck " came from? They are food for dogs, coyotes, bobcats, possums , raccoons, weasels, fox,skunks, owls, hawks, etc.If they have ability to fly or get on a pond or lake they have a better survival chance. Just go read some of the Pest and Predator section..... I lost full grown geese years ago to 2 raccoons working together..... And they will be gone when you don't expect it.... A 4 ft. fence with hotwire top and bottom would keep most predators out, except owls.... a roof makes it better ....minimum .....
Gosh! My ducks just waddle into the coop by themselves. I lock them up nice and tight at night. Maybe you could catch them and put them in the coop for a while. Feed them and water them in there for a few days. Then, open the pop door and let them figure out how to get out. Do that several times until they catch on. It's worth a try.
Predators will definately be an issue if left out like that. Training them is not too hard, like chickens you might have to physically place them in the "coop" a few times before they get it but once they will return to their sleeping area on their own. Mine are used to sleeping in their garage pen so much that they are by the garage door waiting when its getting late, soon as the door is open they walk right in. They have a secure duck house outside too I can herd them into when it starts getting dark (but they still automatically head for the garage first, once they get the habit of sleeping in a place at night they don't easily forget.)
I know I can't leave them out all night, but they are heck to catch. They hate people, they have no issue with our big dog, but he passes them 50 plus times in a day. Guess I'll just leave them in their current pen after the move and later make it portable...idk
My ducks come in at night. I can't imagine I'd have them very long around here if I didn't securely lock them in at night.
