Ducks are so confusing! Pics included

[Secretlyspotted]

I have posted before, so please forgive me, but I still don't understand what to do with my ducks at night! My chickens happily all go into the coop. I trained them by having a light in the coop- super simple. But I can't figure out what to do with my ducks. They are about 3 months old and I'm not really sure of the breed. Maybe Rouen? I am trying to get them to sleep in a barrel at night and I block it off so they can't get out and predators can't get in. But they seem to hate it! What to other people do that have free range ducks? These are from TSC, so I'm fairly sure they are some sort of pet stock. They can't fly at all. They are fairly big, but I worry that a possum could kill one.

Help please! How do I get my ducks to safety every night when they don't want to go in there?! Catching them is what I've been doing, but they are not big fans. And please forgive the pics- it is monsoon season here in GA and mud is everywhere! I swear these ducks free range and have plenty of access to dry areas and their pool was fresh water yesterday!

Also, if anybody has a good idea of the gender and breed of these ducks, that information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kaessa]

They look kind of like Welsh Harlequin. Male, female, and I'm not sure.

Ducks aren't like chickens when it comes to going to bed at night. They'll stay out all night if you let them. Try luring them in there with a treat... peas or mealworms are a good option.

That barrel might be a little small for 3 ducks, you generally want 3-4 square feet per duck in their house.

 

[WVduckchick]

I have a similar issue, I just put mine out this past weekend. 4 Swedish, almost 4 weeks old. I herd them into a 3'x6' box we built for them. I have to herd them in every night. I found last night its much easier with peas to coax them to their house.
But I will wait with you for great insight on what works best, if you don't mind!

 

[needlessjunk]

I use food to get them in their house every night. They would never go in their house if not. Every night they get a handful of peas thrown in their house and go running when called. I also think that your barrel is too small for them and it needs ventilation. That could be why they are fighting so much. Also putting a board over the one side may not keep out a hungry raccoon. They are smart and tenacious. As to the breed they aren't Rouen, but I'm not sure what they are. Maybe silver appleyards? They are very cute though!

 

[Amykins]

I use food to get them in their house every night. They would never go in their house if not. Every night they get a handful of peas thrown in their house and go running when called. I also think that your barrel is too small for them and it needs ventilation. That could be why they are fighting so much. Also putting a board over the one side may not keep out a hungry raccoon. They are smart and tenacious. As to the breed they aren't Rouen, but I'm not sure what they are. Maybe silver appleyards? They are very cute though!

A board will DEFINITELY not keep out predators! They need a sturdy, safe, warm place to go at night. That looks like it's pretty grungy in there so they're basically sitting in mushy poops all night. No wonder they hate it!

As for the breed, they could very well be mutts. But that's not so bad, they're such cutie patooties either way <3 Please keep us posted, and I hope you find a solution that keeps everyone happy - well, 'cept predators. I'd like them to go hungry.

 

[Tevyes Dad]

Routine + safe + comfortable. My ducks usually go in by themselves. They have an 8 x 6 plastic shed for 13 ducks which is 3.7 square feet / duck - right in Kaessa's range. It has many small holes high up on the walls so there is lots of ventilation as needless junk pointed out. They also have wood shavings on the floor that are cleaned daily so they don't have to sit in poop like Amykins said. The first night I put each duck in the house and shut the door. The second night my wife and I herded them in and shut the door. The third night they were sitting in the house waiting for me to shut the door. They feel safe and comfortable so they chose the house.

Now I dont mean to say everything is perfect. They now have an automatic door and they put themselves to bed about 80% of the time. Usually a fail is 1 or 2 stagglers. But sometimes it is all of them especially if they have a big distraction. The first night they got their new swimming pool, they all played hookie. Now they are going in again. The stragglers are picked up, chided and put in the house so they would rather go in on their own.

Also if we are out with them, we usually leave the yard about 1/2 hour before they go in. They don't get food and water in the house (if they have food, they HAVE to have water) so they fill up their crops and drink for about 15 minutes before going in.

After they go in we fill their food and water so they are ready for the next day.

 

[Ducky07]

Keeping your ducks in a routine that encourages them to go inside every night will assist in your efforts. Lure them in with frozen peas and make sure they have access to at least water and possibly food throughout the night. Ensure that your coop is predator proof! From the air, ground, sides, everywhere! My ducks hate being picked up so if peas are unavailable walk behind them with your arms wide to guide them. Treats are your best bet!

 

[Orca5094]

You've already gotten all the suggestions I was going to give. I agree that your shelter is not appropriate. It needs ventilation and alot more space for the ducks. I also don't feel it is all that safe for them, either. If you can get or build them a more appropriate shelter they might me more willing to go in, and also treats are the key! My ducks get kale or a little bit of corn when they go in at night, so they go in very willingly. I do keep water in their house at night, and my one special duck gets food and water on her side of the Duck House. I don't think ducks should ever be without water, but alot of people do that to keep the houses cleaner and dryer.

 

[WVduckchick]

Mine were much easier to get in their house last night. Fourth night, the peas definitely do the trick! It got down to 55 degrees last night, and the ground is still damp from rain yesterday morning, so it felt chilly to me. The heat lamp had the house nice and toasty though. How long will they need supplemental heat? This morning when I let them out, they came right out to get a bite. I went back inside to get ready for work, went back to check them one last time and they were in the pool! Brrr..! They swam for a bit, washed themselves, and got back out before I actually left.

Water and food at night... I'm ok with taking the food out, but I'm still iffy on the water. Since I am using pine shavings, and they like to dig their beaks in it, I'm afraid to not put the water in with them overnight. Its warping my plywood floor, but I guess it won't really hurt much. I sit it outside the house when they are out, and the floor dries up. Their house is 3' x 6', so that's 4.5 sq ft per duck, so I think that's good right?

 

[Kaessa]

Mine were much easier to get in their house last night. Fourth night, the peas definitely do the trick! It got down to 55 degrees last night, and the ground is still damp from rain yesterday morning, so it felt chilly to me. The heat lamp had the house nice and toasty though. How long will they need supplemental heat? This morning when I let them out, they came right out to get a bite. I went back inside to get ready for work, went back to check them one last time and they were in the pool! Brrr..! They swam for a bit, washed themselves, and got back out before I actually left.

Water and food at night... I'm ok with taking the food out, but I'm still iffy on the water. Since I am using pine shavings, and they like to dig their beaks in it, I'm afraid to not put the water in with them overnight. Its warping my plywood floor, but I guess it won't really hurt much. I sit it outside the house when they are out, and the floor dries up. Their house is 3' x 6', so that's 4.5 sq ft per duck, so I think that's good right?

Yep. I've read 3-4 square feet per duck, so you have plenty of room.