Is there a trick to putting them to bed?

[secretquail]

Every night when it is time for bed, I have to chase them around to get them in the kennel. Only 2x have I come out to find Lucky already in. I try not to make it a traumatic experience, but they just want to stay out in the pool. What does everyone do to put their ducks up for the night?

 

[TLWR]

I'm not much help as mine put themselves to bed just before dark.
But try bribery - peas/lettuce/watermelon/etc

 

[FenDruadin]

Mine only have access to layer pellets at night in their pens. They know the routine, and by 5 pm, they're all congregated around the pens waiting to be let in. It's the only way I've found that works--they used to spend half the nights down on the lake because, as you know from seeing my set-up, there's no way I can force ducks into an enclosure at night.

If you really want them to access to the pellets all day, you could choose another favorite treat and offer it ONLY at bedtime in their enclosure. Good luck!

 

[duckluck]

I get a couple of plastic leaf rakes and "rake the drakes"!

I basically just group them together and drive them, with extra nudges for rebels. A few times of that and they should start heading in when they see you walking out with the rake...don't take no as an answer! Cheaper and easier to train than having a border collie do it, and it's a good method for husbands and caretakers to use too, instead of chasing ducks!

 

[katharinad]

My routine is two feedings per day. They get a bowl in the morning when they go out into their free ranging area. They usually run out in the early afternoon and rely the rest of the day on foraging. All that walking gets them pretty hungry comes evening around. At that time I put up a bowl of food and water in their duck house. They go in like clockwork when it is close to darkness and all I do is close the door. I've build beds for each duck and I've noticed that they are laying in them when I come over to lock them up. The key with ducks is to establish a daily routine and don't change it up at all.

Don't forget to put a baby night light into the duck house. They like the little bit of light.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

We do what Kathrinad does! We feed a little in the AM and then they are starving and more than ready to come in for dinner.

Works like a charm!

 

[katharinad]

I'm not sure if I'd call it starving, they are quite plump. They are simply tired from running around most of the day having to find their own food. We never hear a quack at night because they are just deadly tired.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

I didn't mean LITERALLY! lol Trust me, we have a slug filled yard, and my guys are plump too! But they are always happy to go inside and eat another meal they don't have to forage for!

 

[secretquail]

How much food do you give them per duck? I have a dog food bowl that I fill in the morn and afternoon. Probably about 4 cups worth each time. There is always some left, no clean plate club, but is that too much?

 

[emjay]

my routine is like this.

in the am, I let them out into their run, feed them a dish of oats. when the midday sun is fully out, I let them on the pond.

at 5:30 it's back to the run for supper before lockup in their coop. At 5:30 they are begging like dogs, under my feet etc. I get them a scoop of their duck pellets and they race me to the run. Easy peasy they are. I have no problems getting them in off the pond.

they are very well trained, haha.