Gettin ducklings and gosling to use their shelter

[B3NZ0]

So I live in south central Ks. I have a few ducklings and a few gosling and, this is flood season. How can I get my baby birds to use the duck house I built for them I have it 18 inches off ground for reasons such as this. But they have yet to use it with 6 inches of water completely covering my property I am, worried they might get sick.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Do you herd them in at night or no? Have they ever been inside?

Might try using their favorite treats to lure them in...

 

[B3NZ0]

@RavynFallen

I put them in 2 since setting up the pen the seem the are only 4 weeks old. I have not had any luck with getting them to follow my directions with going in the house. At night I lead them with a flash light to the pen but ,the won't go up the plank inside the house.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Hmmm... well, ducks are notorious for being scared of new things... maybe try picking them up and putting them in by hand and locking them in for the night until they recognize it as safety?

 

[Ren2014]

How steep is your ramp? Does it have side rails? Like Ravyn already suggested, use their favorite treat. I used meal worms and would drop them out in front as they walked slowly leading them up and down.

 

[B3NZ0]

@Ren2014 It doesn't have side rails. Not sure how to measure the pitch of the ramp but I'll post pics soon.

 

[B3NZ0]

Here is the duck house I have 9 ducklings and 2 goslings

 

[Ravynscroft]

Without something on the plank for traction, they aren't going to feel secure walking up that... I heard someone used the green fake turf stapled down and it worked great... otherwise I would switch to wide shallow stairs or step stones...

 

[Ren2014]

Without something on the plank for traction, they aren't going to feel secure walking up that... I heard someone used the green fake turf stapled down and it worked great... otherwise I would switch to wide shallow stairs or step stones...

x2 Fake turf is an excellent idea. I use the rubber shelf liner, stapled down and then small 'rungs' across the ramp about every 4"

The pitch looks to be ok (I look at the ground end and keep the angle under 45 degrees.) You definitely need side rails. For temporary rails you can cut card board boxes and staple them to the side of the wood. They hold themselves up for a few days until you can get something more permanent.

 

[B3NZ0]

Think if I plasti dipped the plank it would work? Would 4 inch side rails be okay?