Ducks won't use house

[nigella]

Hi there! We have 6 welshies who were born this year and have been living outside for almost a month. They refuse to use their duck house and instead go underneath to sleep. Their run is secure so it's not a big deal at the moment. I want to block off their access underneath the house since if they start laying under there I'll never be able to get the eggs. They are easy to herd into the run in the evening but won't use the house. I have put their food in the house overnight and found it untouched the next day. I don't want to starve them, especially since they're still young. I've added a photo. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[PirateGirl]

Maybe they don't like the ramp. I'd try making it as wide or wider than the door, and add something to give them better traction on it. The door itself might need to be enlarged as well, but I'd try changing the ramp up first since that will be easier.

 

[thumper650]

Mine get locked in a hutch inside a secure run. I'm a little paranoid. First few nights I had to pick them up and place them on inside at dusk. Then they went in if I herded them in. 2 months later, they go in at dusk, usually. I go out chanting "night night ducks" and they know what it means now. I give them food, water and treats in there. It makes a mess but I want them to be comfortable at night.

 

[PirateGirl]

Agree with @thumper650 that even though my run is "secure" their house is definitely safer and they get locked up every night in their house. I just take the light and hold out my arms and kind of herd them in and lock the door behind them. They do go in and out on their own during the day depending on weather, and go in to lay their eggs.

 

[Alaskan]

I would pick them up and put them in the house and lock them in. At a guess you might need to do that for a week before they realize it is OK. The door and ramp look fine to me, as long as the ramp is stable and doesn't wiggle.

only other thing I can think of is heat .... is it so hot where you are that the house is too closed up and stuffy? Maybe the front of the house needs to be wire.

 

[PirateGirl]

Yes, along with what @Alaskan said, does the house have ventilation other than the door shown in the picture? It may be as simple as they need to learn the house is safe. You may not need to modify your house at all! Good luck. Once you get one duck to accept it, I'd think the rest will follow!

 

[JedJackson]

The ramp definitely needs changing, especially if it is at all wobbly. Make it a little longer, and nail some footholds onto it. Then seal off the area under the house with wire or boards to keep them out. They will get the idea, and the house is pretty low to the ground, so it shouldn't be a problem. Are there windows in the house? They may be avoiding it because it is too dark or possibly too hot.

 

[PirateGirl]

I was re-reading your original post and read it slightly differently.

Is it actually a problem that they don't go in their duck house if you are comfortable with just locking them in the secure run? My ducks definitely prefer to bed down outside if given the choice. They only go in their house of their own free will to lay eggs and occasionally get out of the wind or sun. They do not go in their duck house to sleep at night on their own, they would prefer to be outside, I herd them in each night to be secure and lock them up. This is my choice, not theirs. Also I do not give my chicken and ducks food overnight once they are fully feathered and full grown. They will survive. Night time is for sleeping. They get full bowls of food in the morning.

Do they ever go in their house? For anything?

 

[chickens really]

Hello...Block off the access underneath and Ducks can use ramps with stealth...My Ramp is much higher and they master it...

 

[chickens really]

My Calls and the ramp...