Scared of their new area.

[clbarley]

At least they can still see each other and be close and safe too. How are the ducks doing? moving around more exploring?

They are doing a little better. Still have not touched their food, water or house. There is a lot less quacking though, they are still quacking a little at night though.

Any suggestions of anything else we can do to predator proof out pen? The reason why I am asking is because my husband and I are leaving for two weeks in December. We have an animal sitting coming twice a day every time we are gone but no one will be here when the aren't and our neighbors are worthless, I could be getting killed in my front yard and they wouldn't take notice!

Right now their pens are field fence with a layer of thick gauged chicken wire over it, and all our pens have aviary netting on top. Any suggestions on how I can make it better?

 

[Miss Lydia]

They are doing a little better. Still have not touched their food, water or house. There is a lot less quacking though, they are still quacking a little at night though.

Any suggestions of anything else we can do to predator proof out pen? The reason why I am asking is because my husband and I are leaving for two weeks in December. We have an animal sitting coming twice a day every time we are gone but no one will be here when the aren't and our neighbors are worthless, I could be getting killed in my front yard and they wouldn't take notice!

Right now their pens are field fence with a layer of thick gauged chicken wire over it, and all our pens have aviary netting on top. Any suggestions on how I can make it better?

The only problem I see is something like raccoons reaching inside and grabbing one of the ducks and trying to pull it through the fence, not something you want to wake up to. 1/2" hardware cloth[wire] is actually expensive but will stop anything from reaching in and most say it should be at least 2'up on all sides. and also skirted all around bottom to keep out diggers, aviary netting is fine as long as there is no breech where something could get up under it and get in. Quacking at night could mean something is prowling around and scaring them. another thing is motion sensor lights if close enough to the house.

 

[clbarley]

The only problem I see is something like raccoons reaching inside and grabbing one of the ducks and trying to pull it through the fence, not something you want to wake up to. 1/2" hardware cloth[wire] is actually expensive but will stop anything from reaching in and most say it should be at least 2'up on all sides. and also skirted all around bottom to keep out diggers, aviary netting is fine as long as there is no breech where something could get up under it and get in. Quacking at night could mean something is prowling around and scaring them. another thing is motion sensor lights  if close enough to the house.

Our chicken wire is 1'....I think I will look into the hardware cloth it wouldn't hurt! We have been stacking up rocks around the edges to help prevent diggers! The aviary netting is draped down the edge so there is no lip thankfully.

I was just thinking today about putting up motion sensor lights. If there is a raccoon or something when the lights come on would that help scare them off?!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

You could always string an electric line around the exterior as well, especially up at the top.

 

[gander007]

Just caught your Post a bit ago all good feed back you are getting and I am sad to hear your Ducks and Geese
are having a problem as I have had African Geese and my beloved Kaki Campbell Ducks for over 15 yrs and
at times Pea King Ducks of which I have one left due to predators Bob Cats, House Cats, Fox & Hawks .....
The best thing I did was put up cyclone fencing and then attach chicken wire to the bottom and used cage clips
like the ones used to assemble small animal cages at the corners and edges to help keep the chicken wire
taunt all along the fence and the more I improved the fence the less predator attacks I have had and yes the
lights do work but not all animals will stop at this as predators are use to waiting and watching but even with
all the fencing I have I still need to lock up my birds at night and yes I have rocks all along my fence line but
the gates do leave small holes for a fox or other sized animals and it just gets annoying at times.....
The latest addition to the security is 3 Genie Hens and yes predator's do like them for dinner also but I have
noticed how high they like to get at night to roost but spend most of the day eating bugs like ticks and spiders
and would a ruckus's them birds make if their day or night is interrupted by most anything .........
The ducks new area should be old in about the normal two weeks and if you want the ducks in a new home
at night have a light on near sunset and watch them move towards it after several days and don't forget to
turn the light off about half an hour after sunset .........

gander007

 

[gander007]

I was just looking at you photos of the duck shelter that is nice
and the fencing is quite adequate but some chicken wire along
the bottom going up about two feet should make it very safe
for your feathered friends ....... Nice green stuff in the back
ground as we live in the southern part of Death Valley Ca .


gander007

 

[Miss Lydia]

Our chicken wire is 1'....I think I will look into the hardware cloth it wouldn't hurt! We have been stacking up rocks around the edges to help prevent diggers! The aviary netting is draped down the edge so there is no lip thankfully.

I was just thinking today about putting up motion sensor lights. If there is a raccoon or something when the lights come on would that help scare them off?!

Yes the lights will help a lot, I use them here. But the security of a pen and house is top on the list. They say a mink can get through 1" wire. tiny awful predators.

 

[clbarley]

We have been so lucky and thankful over the 2 years we have had birds! *knocks on wood* we have only had two encounters with a raccoon. And he wasn't interested in the ducks. He stole a couple dozen eggs from the porch but we scared him pretty bad one night and hasn't been back since.

So my next project this week is the add chicken wire to the bottom ground and hardware cloth to the fence and add lights!

Thank you all for your feedback and help!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

We have been so lucky and thankful over the 2 years we have had birds! *knocks on wood* we have only had two encounters with a raccoon. And he wasn't interested in the ducks. He stole a couple dozen eggs from the porch but we scared him pretty bad one night and hasn't been back since.

So my next project this week is the add chicken wire to the bottom ground and hardware cloth to the fence and add lights!

Thank you all for your feedback and help!!!

Keep us updated on progress.

 

[clbarley]

Keep us updated on progress.

Ok good news first. They have been eating and drinking out if their new area.

So now I need help. We are freezing again now and they are just out in the elements. We are also in oregon so if you know this area we get so much rain! So it rains during the day and freezes at night. But I built a beautiful hoop house that is 10x9 and I went in tonight and is warm.

Ok so help how do I assist them into using it! Do I lock them in for like a week straight?!? Because that is crossing my mind right now!