Please advise how I can get young ducks to go up the ramp and put themselves to bed at dusk

[SolarDuck]

Lol mine are imprinted so when I try to herd them into the coop they are not scared of me at all and just lay down wanting pets easiest way for me to get them in the coop is to just go in there and then they follow me in it's definitely a good idea to use treats in your coop at dusk to encourage them to coop up. I'm sure once they are used to their routine it'll he a lot easier on you.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

ok well different people have different persepectives miss.

letting animals die when u can stop it is just mean it’s not a perspective

 

[SolarDuck]

Yeah thats for sure not the move, they need to be locked up at night.

 

[Ratchnick]

My ducks use a ramp just fine, it just takes repetition. I had to block all their escape routes and heard them up the ramp. After a month they got it figured out.

 

[21hens-incharge]

How high is the coop?
Do they have to go up a long or steep ramp?

 

[21hens-incharge]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/will-ducks-go-up-a-ramp.535749/post-23599504

Is this still how it is set up?

 

[3bird]

For us, it's all about the routine. The routine is so well established now, that they just have to hear a certain call and intonation in our voice, and they come running from wherever they are on the property.

Our routine is as follows: We let them out in the morning to free range for about an hour (supervised) and then we make their "soup," which consists of peas and fresh greens in water with a mealworm crumble on top. When it's time for them to come back to their fenced pastures for the day, we just yell: "Hey Ducklings! If you're ready, it's time for Soup for Ducks." It's very important you say "Soup for Ducks" and not "Duck Soup." The latter could be quite traumatizing.

If we are not working outside (in which case they are out working with us), they spend their day in one of two fenced pastures around their run. In the evening, they come out for another hour or so of supervised foraging time. Then it's the same soup routine and call, and they all come running back to have their soup outside the run. While they are having soup, we close all gates, and usually they are inside the run before we finish. We lock the run and go around back for the "Flock Party," and everyone usually comes running up the ramp (relatively long ramp) for some mealworm treats. We generally let them have 24/7 access to the run (covered and predator proof) unless it is very, very cold, but if we do need to lock them in, we just lower the door while they are having their mealworms.

You'll hear the call around 0:08 here:

 

[thumper650]

I use a small rake to help me herd them into their run. We also say “house house” repeatedly, then reward instantly with a small handful of mealworms thrown into the coop. Now we just need the command, and walk behind them, with a treat of course.
Repetition and consistency are key.
Mine will still never go in on their own, even when it gets dark.

 

[Runner duck mom]

For us, it's all about the routine. The routine is so well established now, that they just have to hear a certain call and intonation in our voice, and they come running from wherever they are on the property.

Our routine is as follows: We let them out in the morning to free range for about an hour (supervised) and then we make their "soup," which consists of peas and fresh greens in water with a mealworm crumble on top. When it's time for them to come back to their fenced pastures for the day, we just yell: "Hey Ducklings! If you're ready, it's time for Soup for Ducks." It's very important you say "Soup for Ducks" and not "Duck Soup." The latter could be quite traumatizing.

If we are not working outside (in which case they are out working with us), they spend their day in one of two fenced pastures around their run. In the evening, they come out for another hour or so of supervised foraging time. Then it's the same soup routine and call, and they all come running back to have their soup outside the run. While they are having soup, we close all gates, and usually they are inside the run before we finish. We lock the run and go around back for the "Flock Party," and everyone usually comes running up the ramp (relatively long ramp) for some mealworm treats. We generally let them have 24/7 access to the run (covered and predator proof) unless it is very, very cold, but if we do need to lock them in, we just lower the door while they are having their mealworms.

You'll hear the call around 0:08 here:

Love the video, such cute ducks!
We pretty much have the same routine as yours. We also let ours free range with supervision each day, have peas (or whatever treats they like) on hand and they come running even from the furthest part of the yard. They will all March up their ramp and into bed no problem.
We have changed their routine several times over the years and it always takes about a week for everyone to get the idea.
It is so worth it to have a routine, makes it so much easier than chasing them all around.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

My Runners can learn about anything in a week, but even when my two flocks integrated, the 'littles' had to be captured separately and placed into the main coop. A hungry duck is a motivated duck so never over feed during training time. Timing as in established routine, food and patience are your best allies. If your dog is trained well enough to be on a sit-stay, they can function as a blockade to keep the flock from flanking your herding efforts.