Getting ducks into pen without the chase game?

[WickedChicksNH]

I cannot get my ducks to go to bed without me have to chase them around and put them in the coop, they share a coop with 3 of my chickens. they know how to go up the ramp and when it starts to get dark all of them hang around the ramp, walk up it, then back down it, but not go into the coop.

So I have to chase them around and I feel bad for doing it, I don't want them to resent me for having to do this every night, and just guiding them to the ramp doesn't work.

I have to get one put him in the coop, close the door, get another one put him in the coop close the door. etc etc.

Any suggestions? or just tell me they won't hate me for this lol

 

[Squiggs]

I don't know what others do for this, but I started saying the same thing every time it was time to herd to bed since they were babies, and only in that situation. I move my arms a certain way and say "shoo shoo" hoping they will associate that with the coop. It usually works and they don't seem too stressed out! Just want to run around and hunt more bugs lol

 

[sylviethecochin]

My ducks hate me every time I handle them, so I'm afraid I can't be very reassuring.

What works for me is restricting feed access. During the winter, the chickens get fed twice a day. The ducks can see in the dark much better than hens can, and they get their ration at night. I fill a pan and leave. A few minutes later, my paranoid ducks have assured themselves that the coast is clear (of the awful, evil me), and they rush inside. I finish doing whatever it is that I'm doing, and then I walk over and close the door on them.

 

[Quacking Pigeon]

Just leave them in the coop for a week and then let them out. They should learn eventually.

I have to do it with my ducks when ever I move them to different pens. They always go back to there old pen or go in with my other ducks.

 

[harmonymw]

Can you toss some treats in there at bedtime?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Try sticks. I use one long stick and my arm, but if you can work two, that is even better.
I say bedtime - and then grab the stick. Start guiding them from behind - then in a nice voice tell them they are good when they start going in. It took a week or two, but it works.
It also helps if you can block off other areas so they cannot go a certain way. Mine always wanted to run around their pool area first. Lol I didn't block it off, but learned to put the stick that direction first. Kind of like steering a canoe - opposite side of the direction you initially want to go.
Also, if you can get the leader to go first, the others will generally follow.
I also use this tactic to get them back into their run after being out in the yard. They have to go through the shed and then into their run. It was a learning experience and takes time and patience. Ducks are pretty smart and learn quickly.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Can you toss some treats in there at bedtime?

I actually tried that - mine weren't interested as I thinknthey would rather be outside rather than locked in. Also, I worried they had no water to wash it down.
However, the OP could try teaching them to go into their house before bedtime when they have time to do so during the day - then they could still use treats and have acess to water.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Just leave them in the coop for a week and then let them out. They should learn eventually.

I have to do it with my ducks when ever I move them to different pens. They always go back to there old pen or go in with my other ducks.

I didn't know that would work for ducks. My ducks have only had one house. Their run they will go in and out of willingly, but not so much the house. Even though when my ducks were younger, they actually put themselves to bed for the first month they were in their run. Now they are like, meh I don't think so lady.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

If this dude can do it with hundreds of ducks, you can surely do it with a handful.

 

[harmonymw]

I like to enlist my children to herd them. When you have to decide between outstretched arms of toddlers and a duck pen, the latter seems to win out. Easy solution: have multiple children.