the transition to outside/free range

[lilstar]

Right now my 2 ducklings are around 4 weeks old. I put them in an outdoor brooder during the day and bring them inside at night. I don't trust their brooder to be coon proof. Haven't seen any coons, and haven't lost one single chicken in the year I've had them, but I KNOW they are out there and there have been coyotes sighted on my street. Not my side of the street, but within a 5 minute walk. So no sense leaving bait out in the yard like that. Anyway.. so they're in the scaredy-duck stage. I take it personally a little bit Like come on, I do nothin but give you treats and keep your water clean and your food full, only grab you to bring you inside from the coons, or back outside to play in the grass, and you act like I've got the duck roaster turned on every time you see me? Hmph. I keep wondering what they're going to do once I turn 'em loose. The only fenced off area we have is the chicken pen. I'm ALSO wondering what the chickens will do. Peck the poor things to death? So if I let them loose on a nice sunny day, when it starts getting dark and time for bed, I'm not sure I'll be able to catch them. Any strategies?

 

[nickie]

When my first 2 ducks were little, before I had chickens or knew anything about poultry, we would use long sticks to extend our reach and herd them into a place to sleep. We let them out during the day and locked them up at night until they were 3 or 4 months old. After that they were freeranged full time. They stuck around pretty close since they have their pond and they get fed every evening. Those two would fallow me around like puppies. I still have one of the original ducks. She doesn't run from me unless she gets the inkling I news to pick her up...

 

[Apyl]

When my ducks and chicks went outside I kept them in the pen for the first two weeks so they would understand to go in the coop at night when I told them to. After that I now keep the fence gate open at all times and they go in and out all day as they please. I lock up at day and open up at 7am ish. I would not just let them loose in the yard without them knowing where the coop is or understanding the coop is their safe place. I would also introduce them to the chickens and supervise it. I first introduce a new baby in a cage and let the flock check them out. I then after a day or so take the baby out without the cage. I stay close to the baby and show the chickens I'm in charge when they come to try and peck the baby. This works for me and we havent had any injuries or deaths.