duck won't sleep in the coope

[stroud2009]

I have 2 hens a rooster and as of 5 hours ago I not have a female ( I think ) duck. In their open area there is the chicken coop , I have a kid dollhouse and a large dog igloo that serves the purpose of shelter for them . Well the duck won't go in any of them. She is just wandering around . I messaged the previous owner and she said she would never sleep in the coop with the other chickens , even when the duck was the only one left she wouldn't ..... What should I do? I've tried luring her into the other two area and the coop but she is still probably unsure of me .

 

[Amiga]

So you have tried putting her favorite treats into a shelter and she won't go? How secure is the pen area? I would try to direct her into where she will be safe.

 

[stroud2009]

Yea I had a trail of them going into each house area and she would run from me . It's secure as long as she is t like hanging against the fence . I'm just worried if she just hang outs against the fence a raccoon or something will grab her through it , I didn't think about this when I brought her in, I guess I just hoped she would follow the chickens

 

[needlessjunk]

Is she the only duck? That could be part of the problem too. Ducks need companions and chickens just don't cut it. You may just have to put her in the house each night and lock her up with treats. Ducks like being out in open vs being shut into a house each night. Mine would rather be outside than locked up but they know the deal when I go out with a handful of peas. They run in their house and I lock the door.

 

[tmorgan46]

Until they get used to it, it can be a real challenge. The spousal unit and I would look like to gorillas trying to wrestle a football when we first started. Trying to coax ducks and geese into an enclosure is quite challenging!! One other thought, is it dark in what you're trying to get her into? I put a poultry light in the coop and that made it much easier. Ducks aren't keen on going into a dark space without knowing what's in it or how to get out of it.

 

[pattyhen]

She's not safe out in the run so you might need some help getting her in the coop. Get a big stick and point towards the coop and slowly walk her towards the coop. You can also put your arms out and point towards the coop. Then shut the door when she goes in. It took about 3 nights of doing this but my ducks finally got the message.

 

[stroud2009]

Thank you all for the tips, I will do that tonight . She has been sleeping right in front of one of the houses . We have a net over the top and I've been checking on her every few hours (setting my alarm) to make sure she isn't hanging out on the outside of the fenced area

 

[LadyIsadora]

No matter how great the coop space is, they want to be outside. Its a duck thing. I put treats in their pen and still have to herd them in every night. Its for their own good and safety and for my sanity. I cant stand worrying about them so off to the lockdown night coop they go ;-) good luck.
Oh yea, and get another duck or two they will be happier. and funnier to watch and they are just freakin' cool!