leave ducks out at night or in their coop?

[caymusjordan]

We have a very secure duck run - photo attached. Every evening we heard the ducks (one Pekin, one Cayuga - my daughter's pets) into their coop, give them treats and shut the door. I think the girls would prefer to stay out in the run all night - they float in their "pool" most all day and some evenings it's difficult to coax them out.

We have had a large bear in the area killing chickens over the past few weeks - I think it's the only predator that could break into the run. So putting them in their coop at night seems a good idea although I would think if he smelled them, he'd get in whether they were out or not.

My questions are:
Does it attract more predators with the ducks out in the secure run vs in their coop at night?

Will the girls go into their coop at night if they get cold? They don't seem too "bright"...some nights they literally run into the coop, other nights its a struggle...they do know they get mealworms when they go in the coop.

I think they would stay in the "pool" all night if left out - is it bad for them to be in the water all day and all night?

Thanks, probably good to put them in the coop at night, but I do feel bad when we sleep in on the weekend and they spend a bit longer in the coop (8pm-8am)

Thank you!
(first photo shows coop inside as we were building the run)

 

[Kkrista123]

Please don't leave them out all night! Predators.... people..... more predators. I see how much you guys care for them and it isn't worth running the risk.

Yes, it does attract more predator animals if they're out and can be seen or heard throughout dark hours. They will be fine in the coop 8-8! Just extra excited to see you in the morning. Take them some meal worms or their favorite snack and they'll forget all about you sleeping in.

 

[townchicks]

Yes, I think they are less attractive to most predators when in their coop. I think bears are not going to be deterred by that, they are notorious for breaking into cars, and even homes. The run looks great for most predators, but would not stop a bear for a second, nor would that coop. If it were me, I'd heavily reenforce the run with something like cattle panels or steel bars, if possible. Or electric wire. Or both. Bears, ugh.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Only thing that will keep out bears is electric fencing.

 

[DrHawkeye07]

I like to keep my ducks out of sight, but my run is not weasel-proof since they could climb up the kennel panels and through the wire netting on top. Your run looks like it would keep most things out. Do you have an anti-dig barrier along the bottom?

Oh, and my ducks don't seem to mind my sleep-in weekend mornings.

 

[caymusjordan]

@DrHawkeye07 - yes, we buried cinderblocks and hardware cloth around the perimeter. I'm not too worried about the bear - we are about a mile from the last sighting and aren't in an area where they tend to go. I worry more about the mountain lion that our neighbors saw - don't think he/she could get in.

Need to post another item about Chips - she's treating weird...

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I personally would not leave my ducks out all night. Sooner or later they are going to draw attention to some kind of predator.

 

[thumper650]

I’ve been leaving mine out in their run at night for the summer. I’m re thinking that as my husband heard coyotes or something last night.