Getting ducks to adopt their new home

[marie000]

Good morning!

I am new here. I just got my first ducks a few weeks ago. I have 10 young muscovy ducks (now around 8 weeks old).

When we first got them, we put them in our old chicken coop while we were finishing building their permanent home. The construction took longer than expected and we just finished it yesterday. In the mean time, the ducks have gotten used to the old chicken coop and they have free range on our property. Last night, we put them in their new home for the night. They didn't want to get in but eventually they did.
This morning I let them out, and soon after, they were lying in front of the old chicken coop (it is now closed). They don't seem to want to go in their new home unless we force them to. Their food is there and it's quite comfy (it's a really nice shelter from the heat). Their pool has already been moved by their new home too.

Is there anything else I can do to convince them to adopt their new home? We'll need the chicken coop soon for our chicken...

 

[Indianfeathers]

Hi

I am new to ducks as well! But my ducks have had 3 new homes and this is what I did. I kept them closed in their new home area for 3 days and they adjusted to knowing it was their new home! Good Luck!

 

[Mum]

Welcome to the forums, marie000. Just be patient with them and they will soon get the hang of their new home; keep "herding" them towards it at night time (obviously keeping the coop shut!) and they will soon get the idea. You could also lay a trail of peas so they follow that to their new home at night - but only if the herding doesn't work.

How "soon" is soon until you need the coop?

 

[marie000]

good news, the ducks went into their new home last night.

unfortunately, one was missing (and is still missing as of this morning). But that is the danger of free-range I guess

 

[Mum]

Oh dear!! I hope you find your missing one.

Thank goodness the others all took to their new home and were safe