Ducks freaking out when I leave them outside

[Jadecinadr96]

so, recently my ducks stopped freaking out when we would leave the coop at night. wonderful! this is great. However, they are just about 5 weeks, old enough to spend the day outside all day if they wanted. we just got the "back yard" part of the coop set up. There is a LARGE fenced in area attached to the coop. so they have a duck door and a ramp to get outside and they are 100% safe from predators. I put them out there this morning just for like 5 minutes so I could run upstairs to get water to fill their pool. They quacked/freaked out SOOOOOOO loud you could hear it from the house and they would not get quiet until I came back.

They used to do this in their coop, but I wondered if they just go used to it and didnt care anymore????

Regardless, how do I get them to be comfortable in the outdoors without me??? I work full time so I cant be there all day...

 

[sourland]

It will take time. Apparently they have imprinted on you so every new change in their environment/life will result in calls for "MOM". Poultry of all breeds hate change and take a while to adapt.

 

[DuckyDonna]

It will take time. Apparently they have imprinted on you so every new change in their environment/life will result in calls for "MOM". Poultry of all breeds hate change and take a while to adapt.

You are so right! I now have lights in my duck pens and they won't go in them unless the lights are off! I put a new pool out in their yard a couple of weeks ago and they will drink out of it but still haven't gotten in it! Ducks are so silly!

 

[chickens really]

Just cut the apron strings and don't go running to them when they call..

 

[Jadecinadr96]

Thank you all. Very helpful!!

 

[DuckyDonna]

maybe you could take a head of lettuce or cabbage or something of the sort and hang it up in their run. They like to play with things like that and it keeps them busy. Do they have a kiddle pool they can get into?

 

[PirateGirl]

You said you went to get water... my ducks freak out if the water is empty or if the food is empty and shut up again as soon as it's full.

 

[Jadecinadr96]

maybe you could take a head of lettuce or cabbage or something of the sort and hang it up in their run. They like to play with things like that and it keeps them busy. Do they have a kiddle pool they can get into?

They do have a kiddy pool, yes. They love treats but the second they notice I am gone, lol, they freak out!!! Even with treats. I know it will just take them some time out there so get used to a "new area".

 

[Jadecinadr96]

You said you went to get water... my ducks freak out if the water is empty or if the food is empty and shut up again as soon as it's full.

No, their water was full i was grabbing additional buckets of water to fill the pool!

 

[Jadecinadr96]

It will take time. Apparently they have imprinted on you so every new change in their environment/life will result in calls for "MOM". Poultry of all breeds hate change and take a while to adapt.

Yes, seems that just now need to get used to the new outside part of the coop. THank you soooo much!