Quiet ducks in their house - is this good?

[m.kitchengirl]

Mine are funny, they spend a lot of time in their pen, even when the door is open. They have 2 bigger pools, and lots of ground to cover, but they stay under their cherry/apple tree (they've grown together, its pretty, but I need to prune the cherry it is crowding out the apple tree) or in their pen unless I am out with them.
They like to make the rounds around the bigger yard first thing in the morning and then around 4 when the bus gets home.
I have been really sick and the other day at 4 I heard this big racket from the small yard (my whole yard is well contained which gives them a lot of access if they want it) and went out to see what it was about. They quieted down instantly and I sat there for a while. I went back in & as soon as I did the racket started again. I went to the porch and called them and they came running around the side of the house to their big pool. I guess they just wanted me to hang there with them. Pretty funny.
They put themselves in so easily at night, or whenever I need them to. I wish my chickens had the manners my ducks have.

 

[Amiga]

So, m.kitchengirl gets "the call" too!

 

[ChickInDelight]

Milly is locked out, so I heard her a few times in the night and quacking from the pool this morning where I am sure the others would like to be.

The others are on lockdown, and both of my Mallard ducks provided me with an egg today. One was by the door (again), but the other was at the back. I had to climb into the house to retrieve that egg via roof panel. The ducks just kept eating and seemed not at all concerned that the feeding monster was in their private sanctuary.

I was horrified to see the automatic waterer had stopped working. Then, I realized, they had loaded sand into it, and it is triggered by weight. Note to self - remove sand from waterer. I hold the waterer upside down (outside the pen) and it essentially rinses itself clean. Nice!

It is interesting how differently all our (thread repsonders') ducks can behave. Mine change as they age.

Anyway, I think the idea of lockdown is good. Aside from the fighting Mallard drakes, everyone seemed content in the duckhouse today, so maybe in the future, they will realize that is the ONLY place they see Purina!