Ducks have learned how to get into chicken coop are are taking over!

[jenniferjdb]

My ducks and chickens each have their own coop, as well as an outdoor "Florida room" that's a mobile coop covered in plastic tarp since it's been snowing. This week, the ducks have learned how to get into the chicken coop! They've never done this before, and I keep their coop closed during the day, as they prefer to run around, sleep under/by the deck, and get into mischief. I'm worried they'll mess up the chicken coop, prevent the chickens from going in to lay during the day, and eat at the styrofoam insulation. The entrance is about a foot off the ground, and it has a fairly slick ramp, but the ducks seem like they can get up it ok. What can I do to keep the naughty ducks out of their newfound hidey-hole??

 

[aart]

Open the duck coop back up, obviously they are seeking shelter.

 

[jenniferjdb]

Hm, I tried that yesterday and today. No luck - they would peek into their coop and then go back over to the chicken coop and go in. (I think they looked back and stuck their tongues out at me too!) I'll try for another couple days to see if they just need some time to get used to their house being open, too? Any other ideas?

 

[cluckingheck]

Maybe take out the ramp? I think the chickens will still be able to hop up into the entrance without the need of a ramp. If they can’t, I would put up a small fence the chickens can get over but the ducks can’t. Or make a ladder style steps ( I wouldn’t recommend actual steps, my ducks figured out how to go up steps ).

 

[aart]

Hm, I tried that yesterday and today. No luck - they would peek into their coop and then go back over to the chicken coop and go in. (I think they looked back and stuck their tongues out at me too!) I'll try for another couple days to see if they just need some time to get used to their house being open, too? Any other ideas?

Lock 'em in there for a day or two?

Removing the ramp to the chicken door might work.
How about some pics of that area?

 

[Callender Girl]

I will be interested in seeing how you train your ducks not to go somewhere they believe there might be food.

My runners hop up into my avatar coop and another elevated coop where I THOUGHT the chickens would be able to eat in peace. Also, the runner queen, Quinn, has seen the chickens come to the front door and receive grapes for their efforts. Although not graceful, Quinn has learned to climb the deck steps to get her treats, too.

 

[jenniferjdb]

Here's a pic! (with a chicken butt for scale)

I don't keep any food in the coop - they have food and water a few places, but with the snow the main place is in between the duck and chicken coops shown here (duck coop the red one in the back, chicken coop the blue one here in the front). I'm going to try to flip the orientation of the ramp/door, since I think the chickens will easily adjust to hopping up. The ducks might still, though! (the 3 khaki campbells are smart and usually lead the charge...the 2 pekins just follow them wherever). I'll update after I flip, but any more thoughts in the meantime?

 

[jenniferjdb]

OK, possibly successful update. Here is the pic after I flipped the orientation of the door (and also put some paint cans in front as duck-obastacles). Pic shows my favorite (my golden Wyandotte) clambering up for the first time to go to bed. I've only seen one duck be able to scramble up barely, and I don't think she repeated the climb.

I think we can chalk this up as a win - thanks, everyone for your suggestions!!