Runner Ducks and a great Duck house

[Chickenpen]

I've had nothing but chicken for 50 years. I've had runners for 6 months and have a lot to learn about them. Mine started off going in their house then they quit. I will start driving them in at night and give them a treat and see how that goes.

 

[Loopeend]

Mine neither go to their coops at night. They also don't sleep at night like a chicken might do. They sleep more like a cat. Short naps, then go out again for some water/food/swimming. The whole day and night.

They rather sleep somewhere like under a bush, on top of a garbage bag, etc. and change it every night. No matter how many times we tried to start a ritual with mealworms and such.

At first they started to get in their coop when a lot of predators emerged (neighboorhood cats). Thén they liked the coop.
A lot of ducks had to go away. And then they started to sleep next to our bedroom window instead of their coop. So we build this;
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/finished-duck-coop-ducqarium.1276424/

They sleep in this (open coop) ducqarium now because they can see us. But when there is an predator outside and they are NOT in this coop, they start quacking at our door for help/ be let in. They have a bit more cat in them then chickens. They do whatever they want, sleep wherever they want, lay eggs wherever they want, don't do bedtimes, UNTILL they need you or your coop. They are also more dog then chickens are. They are really happy to see you, too happy, and when we aren't in the garden a day for some reason, they will come and get you at the door, or for us now through the window, just for you being there. When my partner arrives at home they will be in this coop bowing out of happiness that he is home again.
They are just not so independent as chickens are. They often see you as leader somehow =/ And they want you to guide them. They are a bit of dummies that look for a leader, while chicken seek a leader amongst theirselves more.

 

[Chickenpen]

I finding out what you are saying is true in my case in some ways.. Mine have a Java Rooster that they like more than me,

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did you herd them in last night? I started out using a long bamboo pole then once they got the hang of it just use my arms as guides.

 

[Chickenpen]

No, they will just walk around their house and not go in. Today I put a portable fence up; it help lead them in their house. Then I will move the fence so they can get out of the run and free range.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey what ever works I did that years ago to train my old duck flock to go inside they would do the same thing since once the walked past their house it was open to the larger area so I put up a fence so once I got them to their house they had no choice.