Ducks not understanding house/coop?

[Enten4life]

I don't think Ducks get it. Two of mine usually wait to be walked into bed. A few times they wander it, but it's usually past dark by then. And my dear sweet Norbie Girl is usually in the pool/pond and has to be picked out of the pond and then herd into the Run/coop. They sleep in the run as well, not caring to be in their enclosed space, but they lay in there sometimes. They are crazy birds I tell you.

 

[DukesDucks]

My duck door is about 8 inches above the level of the run. I did have to herd my ducks in a few times. The ramp is wide and has gentle slope. After a few days, as soon as the first one went up, the others followed. They have never had a problem doing down because "out there" is where the food, water and treats are.

 

[Trisseh]

Mine would stay out and party all night if given the chance. Lol. Ducks aren’t like chickens, they generally don’t put themselves to bed unless they’re trained to. Mine do now but it took some time and work and lots of treats to get them to figure it out. All of mine, even the calls, hop up into their pop door. it’s 6-8” off the ground (depending on how much snow there is or not lol). My oldest girl is the first one in once it starts getting dark, and if I’m not out there fast enough with their mealworms or veggies, she kicks up a huge fuss. they’re creatures of habit, so you’ll have to herd them in and preferably reward them each night, and if you want them to stay inside, you’ll have to close the door behind them or they definitely will come back out. mine often get their door left open during the summer and if you happen to look out at them in the middle of the night, they’ll be swimming or otherwise carrying on.

 

[KaleIAm]

Predator attacks are unacceptable to me, so I lock my ducks inside at night. I feel like if predators can see them outside at night they will be more likely to try to dig under their aviary to try to get at them. I have a skirt, but I don't want to test my luck.

So, into the barn. Initially I gently herded my ducks and said, "go to bed." Then I gave them a bedtime mealworm snack as reward once they were inside. It took a few months, since a few were very shy, to get them trained. But then one in particular would go to the doorway near bedtime and call for everyone to hurry up and come to bed! She was very serious about bedtime.

After they were trained and knew they would get a bedtime snack they almost always eagerly went to bed at bedtime. Either by themselves, and I would find them inside quacking loudly for me to hurry up with their reward, or when I told them to. Occasionally one duck will be feeling rebellious and refuse to leave the pool. In that case I wiggle my fingers at her and tell her to go to bed and she does, that's all the herding required now.

Another way I can easily get my ducks to go to bed is by going into the barn, calling them, giving them mealworms, and leaving before they finish and have a chance to follow me out.

If I don't close the door after my ducks go in, they will go right back out.

My ducks also have ramps and steps. I have heard of ducks feeling nervous about these things, but mine adjusted quickly.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

I was running around like crazy today and didn't get a chance to take pictures. But I did put them both to bed in the coop around 8, with no protests! I brought out some treats, locked the doors and they both went to bed no problem. So I think they'll get it after a few tries. Thanks everyone for the help!!