MALLARD THREAD...not rouens, Mallards!

[Amiga]

Peepers is at risk, here. Predators are ruthless. If you give them treats, the time to give them is when it is time to go inside for the night, and the place to give them is inside their night shelter.

If the ducks can open the door, predators can open the door. Please get that fixed.

At six weeks, their fear of anything tall instinct can kick in, and extra effort needs to be made not to terrify them, such as offering treats, not cornering them, and staying as physically low as possible.

And I want to add that I am rather sensitive to safety issues and I doubt any of us gets this all right all the time. So good to know you are concerned enough to ask.

 

[RacerWife7]

Peepers is at risk, here.  Predators are ruthless.  If you give them treats, the time to give them is when it is time to go inside for the night, and the place to give them is inside their night shelter.

If the ducks can open the door, predators can open the door.  Please get that fixed.

At six weeks, their fear of anything tall instinct can kick in, and extra effort needs to be made not to terrify them, such as offering treats, not cornering them, and staying as physically low as possible.

And I want to add that I am rather sensitive to safety issues and I doubt any of us gets this all right all the time.  So good to know you are concerned enough to ask.

See, that's what my concern had been all along: her safety at night. She's not out in the open when she opens the door. The coop is fully enclosed, top to bottom. But my fear is a fox or raccoon digging under the caged in area to get at her.

As for the door, it has a wooden flip latch on the inside to keep it closed. She must've figured out how to move the latch and turn it from a horizontal position to vertical so the door opens.

DH says he could not catch her last night to get her inside the house. So he left her in the caged in section. The Swedes stayed inside the house and, apparently haven't figured out the latch.

I can't wait to get home. I have a feeling peepers is scared of my DH. And maybe she's scared because I'm not around. I'm going to work on the treats method and see if I can modify the latch. Thank you so much for your help! I love my duckies and just want them to be happy and healthy and safe. <3

 

[RacerWife7]

I just read the other thread about the 5-week olds being difficult to herd. Seems like this really is the awkward teenage stage. LOL!

 

[RacerWife7]

Amiga, DH did use the treat party idea last night and was able to get all 3 in the duck house for the night. So, thank you! That's working. ...Not sure what he did about the latch on the door, yet, though. He texted me a pic of Peepers in the house joining in the party.

 

[Zombified]

At least all the ducks were able to be herded into their home Our makeshift, temporary coop doesn't have a door. The ducks go in there to eat, but they prefer to sleep outside. So far, we haven't had any problems. But once we build their permanent coop, they'll be going in there every night.

 

[philipchickymad]

 

[philipchickymad]

The above pic is of Donald Does anyone no wat age roughly he is I rescued him

 

[RacerWife7]

Peepers was about 1 week old in this picture. Your Donald looks pretty much like she did at this age, I think.

 

[philipchickymad]

Thanks I'd say so. He /she must have been quite young when I rescued him

 

[philipchickymad]

Hey racerwife7 any tips on making Donald more friendly