My ducks have left me!

[kittypaws004]

My 5 runner ducks are about 5 months old now and still would come back. This has gone on for atleast three months and I'm starting to think no matter what they won't return. I see them everyday in the pond passing by, but they never come over here even when food is out. They are starting to lay eggs and I am hoping they will atleast lay a few here. Does anyone have any ideas to get them back?

 

[CayugaJana]

Let’s get a little more info. Do they have a safe place to sleep in your yard? A coop or house? The only way you are going to get them to come back is to herd them to a pen every night. Do you have help with this? It will be a pain in the you know what for awhile. But if you are consistent for about 2 weeks, they will get in the habit of coming back in. It might also help to throw down some mealworms in their pen. Get a stick in each hand, they don’t run from you as much if you have a large arm span.

 

[cmom]

Do you have a pond in your yard? Do they have favorite treats.

 

[kittypaws004]

Let’s get a little more info. Do they have a safe place to sleep in your yard? A coop or house? The only way you are going to get them to come back is to herd them to a pen every night. Do you have help with this? It will be a pain in the you know what for awhile. But if you are consistent for about 2 weeks, they will get in the habit of coming back in. It might also help to throw down some mealworms in their pen. Get a stick in each hand, they don’t run from you as much if you have a large arm span.

They do have a wooden A-shaped house we made for them. When we first made it they were in it for about 3 days then left. It doesn't have a door at the moment so yes, predators can easily get in (we have nutrea rats). We had straw in it at first, we've cleared it out since then. Food is placed outside the pen and then put up at night (due to nutrea also a turtle has gotten stuck and drowed in the feeder before).
About the only way I could herd them up is to find out where they sleep and get them in the boat and bring them back. The pond is in the neighborhood it isn't my own, so they could be sleeping in someone else's yard. They can't fly and they hang around 3 other ducks now (2 ducks{Pekin and Pekin/Mallard}and1 drake{mallard}).

 

[CayugaJana]

You could round them up when you see them. Then pen them up for a couple weeks. I know it would be a pain until they get into the routine. But otherwise, I don’t see a way. They are stubborn creatures.