Ducks Don't Dig the New Coop

[writethinker]

I locked my 2 ducks and 4 chickens up for three nights, but it was supposed to get very hot today so I let them out into the run.

At night, 3 of the chickens went in on their own. But the ducks hung around the outside and quacked, and when I went back out later to check on them, the whole gang was going to bed on the ground outside the coop.

Seems the ducks are a bad influence.

I've read a lot of discussions about getting the chickens used to their new home and one week seems to be sort of the rule of thumb. My question is, will this work for the ducks too? Will they be ready to go in on their own after a week?

Also, any tips on keeping them cool inside the coop during hot days while I'm riding out the week? Thanks.

 

[Amiga]

Well, with my ducks, we got them used to their new house by having them out there during the day and bringing them back to the brooder at night. The night temps were too cold at the time to leave them out.

We also had some pea parties in the duck house, to get them to have positive feelings about the duck house. And I spent just a little time in there with them.

Are the chickens roosting above and pooping on the heads of the ducks?

How big is the coop?

Is there water in the coop?

Regarding keeping them cool enough, Storey's Guide recommends that if the temperature is above 70F, they need to be in the shade with abundant fresh water. I move my ducks to the basement shelter if it is near or above 100F, and from about 80F and up, I watch closely and sometimes refresh their swim water around 2 p.m. with cool water. My ducks are black and brown, most of them, and that gets really hot if they get into the sun. I have a shade cloth over the day pen and on the side of the duck house, and the whole setup is under a sugar maple tree.

The house has plenty of openings covered with heavy duty wire hardware cloth for predator protection, so that there is some air flow.

 

[writethinker]

Thanks for the response.

Yes, some of the chickens are roosting, but I think they have enough room that the ducks aren't forced to sleep underneath.

The coop is only about 3x5, which I know is a little on the small side. I had intended for the ducks to live out on the pond, but then grew attached to them.

Yes, we are keeping plenty of fresh cool water in the coop, though not enough for the ducks to swim in, and the window is open for some air flow. I got out and check them every few hours.

There is shade on the coop in the morning and late afternoon, but not in the heat of the day. They do not seem distressed (no panting or anything), so I guess they are okay. But I feel terrible--and I miss having them tottering about the yard.

I guess, I'll just have to wait out the week and see if that does the trick.

 

[Amiga]

Have a pea party in the coop for the ducks. C'mon, just once.

 

[writethinker]

I assumed that was just like giving them peas to eat? I actually did give them some peas based on your advice right before I came in and logged on. Lol. Let me know if I'm missing something. Party hats or balloons or something?

 

[zooweemama]

We do pea parties too! hehe

 

[Amiga]

Hey, if there are peas, it is a party!!!

Good for you, giving treats! I find it helps get the flock over anxiety, and seems to be a morale booster. I get a kick out of everyone's enthusiasm. But I have to be careful not to use the pea bowl for anything else outside, or it's seen as a nefarious deception.

 

[writethinker]

My ducks didn't really seem all that excited. Do they need to be fresh peas? Or do they liked cooked peas as well? Or are you all just pulling my leg?

 

[Amiga]

I am not much of a leg puller, no I am serious when I say my ducks are crazy about peas. I walk out the door with the pea bowl and everyone runs for them. It is quite the excitement! That is why I call it a pea party.

There are people who say their ducks are not so impressed with peas. Perhaps yours are in that category.

Romy really really likes lettuce, but she has become more interested in peas since joining our flock.

I keep a bag of frozen peas, and thaw some out in water when I want to use them. I prefer the kind with no added salt, but if I can only find salted, I rinse them two or three times before serving.

 

[Buxton Ducks]

My ducks won't go inside if anything has changed about their coop. They are the most timid animals..... I recently upgraded their night-time accommodations and they quacked like crazy outside until I went out and physically herded them in. There was a quick panic and then they were immediately used to it.... They are so weird.