training ducks to go into the hut

[FrenchHen]

We have a duck hut Well...this one's temporary. Husband's going to build a new one.
The dang ducks won't go into the hut at dusk. We've not had predator problems yet, but we're surrounded by dogs, and I've seen foxes and raccoons in the yard (the raccoon was dead on the road in front of the house).

Soo, how do you convince Khaki Campbells to go home at night? I've been bribing them with peas, but it's not working for all of them.

I don't want to do the duck rodeo every evening.

 

[streemers]

how long have you been doing duck rodeo? i did it for a few weeks and then out of know were they started doing it on their own

 

[Marie66]

Quote:
LOL, Duck Rodeo.

I want to see that video!

 

[Dances with Ducks]

Ya, they get tired of being wrangled after a while and just decide to co-operate.

 

[Andora]

With my ducklings it took about 2 weeks of duck rodeo. Finally one night after chasing them I sat down in despair and when I looked up they were all marching right into their coop.

When we got an older duck--a 10 month old pekin--the first night my DH picked him up and put him in the coop. The next night he went right in at dusk and led in the girls too. Now they always go right into the coop at night, though later than the chickens. The chickens go in at first dusk and the ducks go in once it's actually dark. Knowing that, maybe you should wait a little while and see if they just go on in? As long as you think you can find them all in the dark, should they not go in, haha.

 

[FrenchHen]

Khakis have Indian runner ancestors, and mine seem to think that they are runners. I can't corner and catch them alone. So I'm chasing them round and round, trying to pen them in a corner. Meanwhile, my oldest son (about to be 4) is standing in the gaps waving and growling ROAR!!! trying to shoo the dang ducks to me so I can catch them and pen them.
I'm sure it's hilarious, to everyone else.

 

[rainplace]

I used chicken wire to make a "run" to where they go to sleep. I just herded them into that and there was nowhere else for them to go. Now when I come down in the evening and open up the pen they go to their night digs. I didn't like the duck rustling either. It traumatized me more than the ducks I think.

 

[Wifezilla]

Mine require herding. Every stinking night.

 

[Soccer Mom]

Herding really is the only way to coop train them. I find it easier to herd with two people. We come from opposite directions and make like a funnel towards the coop.

I started every night with the same routine and eventually they caught on. After a few weeks, they would turn and put themselves up when I approached at dusk. But every now and then it is still duck rodeo (for no apparent reason! It's like they wonder if I can MAKE them go up. Once I do, it's back to the orderly procession again.)

 

[call ducks]

mine go in there house every night