Rounding up the waddles

[Patch6713]

My ducks at first were temporarily being kept in the chicken coup until their house was build. Bring off the ground it required me to catch them one by one every night in their run and put them away.
When their house was finished they had no interest in it and I was once again putting them in one by one followed by the three following after I would catch the first one and put it in. About a week in I was way behind schedule and several hours after dark I found them all snuggled up in their house and have since every night since.
Good luck

 

[Mamasaurusrex2]

Well, tonight was interesting. I went to let my dogs out to go potty and after I was going to put the ducks to bed. Well that plan changed when as my dogs went out the door my German Shepherd went after Jimmy duck, she was out of her pen and in the yard!! He had his shock collar on and it hit the vibrate button and he stopped but he almost had her! OMGOSH. So I had to chase her down the side of my house which and grab her. Poor thing was so scared. I took her back to her house and didn't see our new duck anywhere, I thought she must be gone, but she had put herself to bed like a good girl. (This is only her second night with us so I was surprised)

Jimmy duck, who escaped is a rouen who showed up by my house as a 4 week old duckling with some mallard ducklings. There was no mama and I think they were all dumped together. They were living in the creek behind my house with the wild ducks and I wonder if Jimmy duck was trying to get back to the creek. We rescued her one week ago today. There were no holes or gaps anywhere in the pen so I think she must have flown just enough to get over the 4 ft fence on their pen. And I was just telling my husband today that we need some bird netting to out over the top just on case

ETA: I plan to get my dogs used to the ducks over time before they free range. Even then, they are good dogs but I would never let them be alone with the ducks just in case. Jimmy was supposed to be safe in her pen. My heart was pounding! I'm so glad she is ok and I need to make sure she can't get out again! Poor girl was so scared.

Update: Just finished putting netting over their pen. Hopefully they stay put now!

 

[Mamasaurusrex2]

Hmm. Could you be trying to put them to bed before they're ready? What would happen if you just waited them out, would they stay out all night, do you think? I really don't have a clue, I don't have ducks (yet ... maybe never, lol!), but the chickens put themselves to bed when they're ready. And the younger the chickens, the later they want to stay up ... just like kids, lol!

I'm not sure this is all new to me! I read they need to be put to bed before dusk because of predators so usually I put my son to bed, then come out and hang out with the ducks a bit, water plants, and then put them to bed before cleaning out their water pan. Usually around sunset or so.

That said this is super new. Our first duck we got 1 week ago and we rescued her from the creek behind our house, she's a rouen, so she isn't used to domestic life yet. The second we brought home yesterday and she is from a farm (I'm in the city) so she gets it a bit more than the rescue. Lol but I read they don't usually put themselves to bed like chickens do, but it seems that some do!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mine do but it's something that was taught to them when young. So slowly herding them should eventually get them use to routine. And yes put them to bed before dark. Ducks aren't dumb and like routine so once they get it they get it.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Mine do but it's something that was taught to them when young. So slowly herding them should eventually get them use to routine. And yes put them to bed before dark. Ducks aren't dumb and like routine so once they get it they get it.

Same here. I slowly and calmly just herd them in but sometimes I don't even have to do anything but say "time to go nite nite"! As long as they aren't into anything exciting they march right into the pens.

It's all about routine. Ducks love routine and any change freaks them out! It's been so hot here I have been putting a water bucket in each pen for them at night. It scared them and they didn't want to go in the first night as soon as they saw it.

 

[Mamasaurusrex2]

Tonight both of my girls quickly went right in with gentle herding them with my arms out. Granted they are in a pen, not free ranging, but it was nice. I think since our new duck is from a Farm she is used to this kind of thing and our rescue seems to follow her some. So I think that helps. After they were in their house for a bit I sang to them and they relaxed and started to fall asleep lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

You are doing great!!

 

[quackiemama]

You are doing great!!

x2

 

[Mamasaurusrex2]

Thank you guys!! I appreciate it!!