ducks wont go into their house

[dot n'dave]

So, DH made this awesome "duck aviary" along with this awesome little house for our ducks to go in.
Well, they love the pond, and the outside space, but they wont go into their little house!!
We thought they'd be like the chickens going in to sleep in the evening.
We even tried put them in but by the time we grab the third one to go in the first two run out!
I know they're good outside during the day, but at night it reaches into the 30's and they lay on the cold ground!
Will they ever go in? I feel so bad, they were so nice and comfy at night in the garage before we put them out!

 

[NancyP]

Our ducks are the same way. I have just accepted the fact that they will need to be put to bed every night. Good luck and I look forward to hearing if you can train them.
Nancy

 

[suburbanduckmom]

Try to train them to go to bed at a particular time of day by giving them snacks in or near the night pen at dusk. Ours didn't like their bed at first but now they wait for us to come and close the door.

I also put the stuffed animals that were in the brooder with them in the bed at first so they had something snuggly to transition over to the new space.

Also, do they have to go up a ramp to get to the little house? If so it could be that they don't care for the ramp

 

[headred]

I have also learned to accept that they don't seem to like the closed in space. I always find mine, smack dab in the middle of the yard each cold night. This last weekend they sat out there during a 10" snow (can be seen on my website!). Could hardly see them when it was all said and done. I guess they are wild animals and will do what they want. They are wearing down coats ;-)

I do put their grain and water in the house so they at least know to go in there when needed. I recently saw a hawk swoop down on them and they ran like mad to the house. They are smart at times!

 

[cluckers&quackers]

You might be able to train them to go in at night. I had 2 muscovy ducks I got last year and I just got 6 more. I let them out but they weren't going back in, I tried food near the door and that didn't work, so 2 nights in a row when it started to get dark my hubby and I rounded them up and put them in, after that they got the "idea" and they just go in on their own every evening now. Maybe if you can round them up a couple of times it will help them to learn to go in on their own. But at the same time there is no way I will get them to go in any other time of the day without having to round them up.

Another thing that I have found helps with ducks, and even chickens too, when I have had to change housing around for any reason, I left them closed up for a couple of days, they seem to get a feel for their new house and automatically go back to it. maybe they are refusing the new house because they don't realize it is "home"?

Now my other breeds on the other hand are a totally different story. They are in a fenced in yard and go in all on their own any time of the day, if I get into their fence they automatically assume I am closing them up and go right inside. Which is nice because if for any reason I have to put them in during the day it is as easy as can be.

Good luck

 

[CityChicker]

Ducks just don't like to go inside. They seem to much prefer sleeping outside and they not only tolerate the cold/snow, they seem to love it. Mine are always in the snow when they have the chance. I went out last night to feed and give everyone extra water because we had a major blizzard. A couple of my Overbergs were literally setting there with a couple inches of snow on them. They had two covered portions and an enclosed house to go into that I know they use because they have been laying their eggs in there. Today, they are none the worse for wear though. I think they simply like the cold and dislike closed spaces.

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

My ducks were free-ranging through the winter and chose to spend their nights in the goat shed, which is a rather large open building. When I moved the goats into the sheep barn to protect a new kid, I thought the ducks would stay in the shed, but the next day I found them in with the goats in the barn.

Now my ducks are in a small pen with a calf hutch for a shelter. They seem to be spending their nights outside, but are laying their eggs in a nest in the calf hutch. (I also have a turkey hen and a few chickens in this pen, which may limit the ducks' desire to use the calf hutch for shelter).

I'd agree that it might be an idea to shut up your ducks in the new house a few days to let them know it's home. Perhaps also give them special treats in the house so they think it's a good place to be.