Mama raised babies

[Bookworm0124]

My hen has two ducklings that she hatched out who won't use the ramp into the house at night. She got so mad at me tonight when I went outside and put them in. It's not overly steep. Any suggestions? Not the best picture but you can see a little bit of it to the left.

 

[Going Quackers]

So cute! yeah, littles can be difficult with things like that. I generally don't like ramps until they are bigger as one can be left behind and then get a chill.

Are you able to provide some temp shelter during the day on the ground then just move them into the other house at night? Ducklings grow quick, so it shouldn't be to long before they master it on their own.

 

[PirateGirl]

Does she go up the ramp and leave her babies behind or does she hang out with them outside?

I was catching the ducklings to put them into the house at night, but they are terrified of me and mama would attack me and my run isn’t tall enough to stand in and they pooped all over me so I said screw it, they can sleep outside if they can’t figure it out!! Well, wouldn’t you know, by total dark, mama and the babies were all in the house. So I guess they use the ramp when I’m not looking! Honestly mama will teach them and they will figure it out. If the run is secure, don’t worry too much. You could put some carpet or shelf liner on the ramp to make it a bit more grippy if you want.

 

[Bookworm0124]

Does she go up the ramp and leave her babies behind or does she hang out with them outside?

I was catching the ducklings to put them into the house at night, but they are terrified of me and mama would attack me and my run isn’t tall enough to stand in and they pooped all over me so I said screw it, they can sleep outside if they can’t figure it out!! Well, wouldn’t you know, by total dark, mama and the babies were all in the house. So I guess they use the ramp when I’m not looking! Honestly mama will teach them and they will figure it out. If the run is secure, don’t worry too much. You could put some carpet or shelf liner on the ramp to make it a bit more grippy if you want.

She goes in and out in and out at dusk trying to get them to follow her. I went out last night and when we got back at full dark they were all outside still. The run is pretty secure but this has been an awful hatch for me so I'm paranoid about losing more. Out of 10 viable eggs, I took 4 for the incubator and left her 6. Two she abandoned mid hatch and they died. one she kicked out of the nest and it died. Another that I had taken from her to try and straighten out it's leg died in a freak thing last night. I'll try the grippy ideas. Maybe that'll help. They do grow so fast so hopefully in a few days they'll be good.

 

[Bookworm0124]

So cute! yeah, littles can be difficult with things like that. I generally don't like ramps until they are bigger as one can be left behind and then get a chill.

Are you able to provide some temp shelter during the day on the ground then just move them into the other house at night? Ducklings grow quick, so it shouldn't be to long before they master it on their own.

During the day they're out with Mama. They hide under the house lol. We had a big thunderstorm yesterday and I was so worried about them. They were under the house

 

[chickens really]

My Babies all learn a ramp quickly. Adding rungs or grip will help..Hope they begin to go in soon..

 

[Bookworm0124]

Found a better picture. I have some extra. Carpet I'll tack into it today.

 

[chickens really]

Found a better picture. I have some extra. Carpet I'll tack into it today.

Definitely they will learn that ramp. Momma just needs to figure out how to get them to follow her..

 

[PirateGirl]

At two weeks mine are doing the ramp but before that I put food and water in the coop and mama chose to keep them in most of the time.

That’s a pretty easy ramp (as far as ramps go) I think they should be able to get it soon.

 

[Bookworm0124]

At two weeks mine are doing the ramp but before that I put food and water in the coop and mama chose to keep them in most of the time.

That’s a pretty easy ramp (as far as ramps go) I think they should be able to get it soon.

I put some in for them so they'd have constant access anyways so that works. They did stay in yesterday.
It's funny. I was holding the incubator babies that are maybe a day younger than her babies and she came running out of the house looking everywhere and quacking