Free ranging my khakis?

[cjjsfarms]

We currently have 4 khakis (1 male 3 females) which we keep in a coop with a run. They are about 9-10 months old now, we got them at about 8 months. We live in a 10 acre rural property. The ducks are fine, but I just feel like they aren’t living how they are supposed to live. I don’t know, the chickens seems great in the coop but I just feel like the ducks aren’t. This isn’t based on anything other than just seeing them and feeling like ducks need more. I would like to let them out to free range them during the days (we have a Creek and plenty of land) but I’m worried if I do they won’t come back or will fly away. We’ve always had chickens but these are our first ducks so I don’t really know about their behavior or what to expect if I let them out. As I said, they were 8 mo when we got them so they have no attachment to us and are skittish. Any thoughts?

 

[thumper650]

Make the run/coop a happy place. I used mealworms to lure my kahki Campbell and her 2 boyfriends back to their run and they go right in when asked now. Their free range space is much smaller though.

 

[PirateGirl]

I would give them more time with the coop run before free-ranging. Ducks don't seem as attached to home base as chickens, but they do learn it in time. I let my ducks out in a larger area some days and when I go to lock them in their secure enclosure at night they are there waiting for me, but it took time to get to this point and in the beginning there were nights of herding them back in (which at first took more than one person).

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I’ve had ducks all year..many of them I rescued and had no attachment to me when I let them free range...but...they came into the pen at night based on wanting security. When I would get new ducks I would first release them into my large pond. We have 35 acres...they probably regularly use 8...but they did range the hay fields and we mowed paths to go looking! Anyways..I’d let them out...they’d stay in the pond all day...then at night..they’d eventually come in to the pen due me calling ducks and shacking food..try that a few days...when it’s food time..yell what you call them and shake that food...it’ll be their dinner bell. They are hard wired to want to be in a pen. The first night I’m always scared. My hubby reassures me..usually by the second or third..it’s cake. To herd ducks..you either use a long pole...we have a long net..but it could even be sticks...put them out by sides...and slowly walk them and guide them the way you want them to go...you stand in pen with food while hubby or whoever walks them in till they get it..I totally agree ducks love to free range..I have 43. Just ask them

 

[Ratchnick]

For those of you who free range, where do you live and often do you experience losses from predators.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Western North Carolina lost 2 OEGB s this year.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

For those of you who free range, where do you live and often do you experience losses from predators.

I live in NW PA...I have 35 acres but the ducks probably only use eight. Over the last year I’ve had 4 lost to predators...one a skunk..one a snapping turtle..one got hit by a car..but then we prevented them from going up the farm road...our driveway is 300yards...one just vanished. Lost one goose after he had his leg amputated because he was bit by a turtle...we fished the turtles out and pond is safe...anyway..Stubs lived 4 mths in a cart and then had complications. Now I’m down to 43 ducks..so to me...that’s not bad. I hate saying that out loud because each loss was a tragedy to me...but.. I want my ducks out enjoying my land..and they love it.