I lock my ducks in the duck house at night.
Usually go out around 7 am and let them out in the runs in the morning, and bring them in about 6pm (hours will change as daylight gets shorter). As daylight hours get shorter, this becomes a bit of a challenge. I will not always be home to bring them in, but am reluctant to leave them cooped up in the coop all day.
Their runs that they are in during the day are not secure enough for leaving them out after dark, or when I am not home. (I would prefer they were more secure during the day as well, but - ). Ideally, we need more secure runs, but this is not going to happen immediately.
One night last week, I had put them all in the duck house (drakes included - they are normally in a separate house at night due to issues - they are presently behaving), because I knew I would not be home before dusk, and they could have access to the outdoor pen which is covered and relatively secure. When I got home, later than planned, it was dark and the ducks, which usually go in the house at dusk, were still out and panicked (possibly just due to me walking up in the dark although I was talking to them all the time as I approached). There was a light on in the duck house, but it was dark in the run. They have been taught to go into the house at dusk (or so I thought), but I am normally present. They apparently did not figure out they should go in at dusk themselves, even though it has been the routine for the last 5 months, and there was a light in the house.
Just curious how everyone deals with putting ducks in at night, if you are not home to force the feathered children to go inside at night? I was surprised they did not go in, and even more surprised how panicked they were.
Usually go out around 7 am and let them out in the runs in the morning, and bring them in about 6pm (hours will change as daylight gets shorter). As daylight hours get shorter, this becomes a bit of a challenge. I will not always be home to bring them in, but am reluctant to leave them cooped up in the coop all day.
Their runs that they are in during the day are not secure enough for leaving them out after dark, or when I am not home. (I would prefer they were more secure during the day as well, but - ). Ideally, we need more secure runs, but this is not going to happen immediately.
One night last week, I had put them all in the duck house (drakes included - they are normally in a separate house at night due to issues - they are presently behaving), because I knew I would not be home before dusk, and they could have access to the outdoor pen which is covered and relatively secure. When I got home, later than planned, it was dark and the ducks, which usually go in the house at dusk, were still out and panicked (possibly just due to me walking up in the dark although I was talking to them all the time as I approached). There was a light on in the duck house, but it was dark in the run. They have been taught to go into the house at dusk (or so I thought), but I am normally present. They apparently did not figure out they should go in at dusk themselves, even though it has been the routine for the last 5 months, and there was a light in the house.
Just curious how everyone deals with putting ducks in at night, if you are not home to force the feathered children to go inside at night? I was surprised they did not go in, and even more surprised how panicked they were.
