Scared of their new area.

[gander007]

1. First it is a great sign your birds are eating and drinking in the new area a good sign they are relaxed now
I haven't seen the inside of the shelter so I might ask about the nesting ornament's you set up for them..
And the roosting set up for your chickens so each bird has their own spot to rest and no bird rest directly
above another .......

2. I am aware of the rain and extreme cold in your area but as long as they have a dry place to rest their feet
at night so as not to let them freeze for this dry straw is all I use for bedding the same as they would do in
the wild and out of the wind the new shelter provides all of this ......
The body temp on a average bird is 106 F so with several birds as you have the shelter should provide
Plenty of heat for comfort ......

3. You have had your birds for some time on this property for some time now and all you did was build them
a new safe place to live am I correct then all you should need to do at the most is one day but I am sure
it will be a habit for them to go in every night in just a couple of days but I myself would keep them for one
day for them to for a comfort zone ........

Nice to see a concerned owner ........

gander007

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think if you begin early enough in the eve. herding, have you ever herded your ducks? actually they herd very good. I use a long mop handle as an extension you could even use 2 or just open your arms wide depends on how large an area your working in, but get behind them and slowly start herding them where you want them to go you may need help till you get the hang of it and they begin to understand what your wanting, so herd them inside give them something very special as a treat for doing so good once inside, and use this treat just for this . then close the door and let them spend the night, it may take a week but I think once they get use to going in and feel secure they will be ready to go in on their own or with a little persuasion from you in the form of their reward.
Or lock them up for a week, it's up to you but I really don't think that will be necessary. Ducks like routine.

Great news they are beginning to feel relaxed.

 

[clbarley]

I think if you begin early enough in the eve. herding, have you ever herded your ducks? actually they herd very good. I use a long mop handle as an extension you could even use 2 or just open your arms wide depends on how large an area your working in, but get behind them and slowly start herding them where you want them to go  you may need help till you get the hang of it and they begin to understand what your wanting, so herd them inside give them something very special as a treat for doing so good once inside, and use this treat just for this . then close the door and let them spend the night, it may take a week but I think once they get use to going in and feel secure they will be ready to go in on their own or with a little persuasion from you in the form of their reward.
  Or lock them up for a week, it's up to you but I really don't think that will be necessary.   Ducks like routine.

Great news they are beginning to feel relaxed.

Sorry I haven't responded. Been busy! We are going to start herding them in at night! They are doing pretty good. Our weather has been harsh. It been in the high of 25 degrees. I truly hate cold weather.

It looks like a couple of boys are loosing chest feathers it's weird. Everyone seemed in good spirits today even though it's freezing!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sorry I haven't responded. Been busy! We are going to start herding them in at night! They are doing pretty good. Our weather has been harsh. It been in the high of 25 degrees. I truly hate cold weather.





It looks like a couple of boys are loosing chest feathers it's weird. Everyone seemed in good spirits today even though it's freezing!!!

Are the boys fighting? or maybe late molt? although it's kind of strange it only the boys. I'm wondering if it's getting a little pulling feathers tusseling? They are so pretty.

 

[clbarley]

Are the boys fighting? or maybe late molt? although it's kind of strange it only the boys. I'm wondering if it's getting a little pulling feathers tusseling? They are so pretty.

There has been a little fighting, even with the girls but it's mostly head feathers. They are all trying to figure out who's who in the group. I'll watch it. I had did a little research after I posted that looking for something and it all came back to molt. I know the girls are not laying so maybe it was a late molt or stress idk.

So it was 11 degrees this morning. I loathe the cold. Our water pipes froze! It hasn't been this cold this early for 5 years. I worry about them so much I can't believe they can be out in this weather.

Oh and thank you! I find them beautiful. My husband and I can't have children so I live vicariously through all my animals and I didn't know I could love something as much as I do my not so smart silly ducks. They bring stress and worry to my life but they bring so much more joy.

 

[Miss Lydia]

There has been a little fighting, even with the girls but it's mostly head feathers. They are all trying to figure out who's who in the group. I'll watch it. I had did a little research after I posted that looking for something and it all came back to molt. I know the girls are not laying so maybe it was a late molt or stress idk.

So it was 11 degrees this morning. I loathe the cold. Our water pipes froze! It hasn't been this cold this early for 5 years. I worry about them so much I can't believe they can be out in this weather.

Oh and thank you! I find them beautiful. My husband and I can't have children so I live vicariously through all my animals and I didn't know I could love something as much as I do my not so smart silly ducks. They bring stress and worry to my life but they bring so much more joy.

My goodness I didn't know it got that cold in Oregon. sorry about your pipes I hope there won't be any bust. I know the feeling on these animals, they are my whole life. I think they will be fine out there and hopefully if it gets to be too much they will seek shelter, Mine will find places to get when the wind and I think that's when it really gets bad, but yours have option to go in their nice hoop house if they get too cold. Have they gone in their house at all?

 

[clbarley]

My goodness I didn't know it got that cold in Oregon. sorry about your pipes I hope there won't be any bust. I know the feeling on these animals, they are my whole life. I think they will be fine out there and hopefully if it gets to be too much they will seek shelter, Mine will find places to get when the wind and I think that's when it really gets bad, but yours have option to go in their nice hoop house if they get too cold. Have they gone in their house at all?

From the looks on the inside no. There are little holes in the grass on the outside so I know they have been close. But they are getting locked in tonight if they like it or not it's going to snow!

And yeah this is my 3rd winter here and my husbands 9th winter. It is never this cold. I am hoping there isn't a bust either. We will see when I get home! *fingers crossed*

 

[Miss Lydia]

From the looks on the inside no. There are little holes in the grass on the outside so I know they have been close. But they are getting locked in tonight if they like it or not it's going to snow!

And yeah this is my 3rd winter here and my husbands 9th winter. It is never this cold. I am hoping there isn't a bust either. We will see when I get home! *fingers crossed*

As you know they don't always know what's best, or maybe they never know what's best for themselves, I think your wise in locking them up they will appreciate the security once they get us to it. My ducks are waiting for me to put them up of an evening, they can't just go inside to their stalls because my drakes are scared of the most dominant so I have to tuck them in late afternoon, It's so cute to see them go into their individual stalls to bed. Most have a buddy so they have company.

Might want to look into some heat tape, when we lived in Fl that's what we used on our water pipes to keep them from freezing in winter. But I'm sure yall have already figured out what to do about that. Actually our son who lives in a mobile home uses heat tapes on his plumbing under his house.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Would love an update on how everyone is doing.

 

[clbarley]

Sorry I just now saw you posted here!

They are doing pretty good. They still quack a lot at night, they are still missing feathers and the girls are not laying, still.....

My girls are really confusing my this year!