training ducks to go into the hut

[cfgroen]

It has been a rodeo for sure with my 5 ducks!! I have had them since 12 days old. They were in their broader until they graduated to their pen. (An upside down trampoline with orange safety fence around it) at first I used an Old plastic dog house and had it sideways so I could herd them into it! It wasn't easy at first because they were terrified to go in. Also they WILL NOT put themselves up!!!! I did an experiment and for a week seeing later and later if they would go up by themselves, NOPE!! The last night was 2am and I said forget it I guess I will ALWAYS have to put them up!!
Now I built a duck house with a ramp and raisable roof. The first night it took 35minutes by myself herding them finally I grabbed the rake and was able to Rangel them into the house!! Sometimes it takes my husband, son and myself to get them to go! Last night it took 5 minutes with two making an extra lap around but geeeeeeeeeesh the chickens put themselves up, just wish the ducks would do the same!!
Oh and all my poultry (10 chickens, 4 guineas and 5 ducks)comes running when they here peep, peep, peep!!! I can peep peep from the house and it gets the ducks loudly going lol.

Can you get in the duck house or "raise the roof" and from behind call "peep, peep, peep" and maybe call them in?
I have had to chase them before when they have gotten out (I was attempting to herd them into a small opening in the fence and they were NOT cooperating).

 

[quackers619]

The first flock started out as a rodeo but then started going into the duck house. I made up a song called, "In the Duck House." When they hear that they know it is time. Not saying one or two won't do a loop around the pool but that is tradition! When I wait until after dark they either go in or stand at the door of the duck house. Probably waiting for the first line of that song.

I am glad to see I'm not the only one who sings a song to get my ducks into their house. Mine is called the good night duck song

 

[cfgroen]

Wouldn't ya know it. The day I post about it, is the day that 3 turkeys figure out how to escape under the fence. I went up tonight at about sunset to put everyone to bed. The escapees were standing by the fence waiting for me as if to say, "Dad, we can't get in!" because they couldn't remember how they escaped. I opened the fence up and in they went and straight to the barn! I think tomorrow the fence comes down and everyone gets to free range. That should put one heck of a dent in the monthly feed cost I hope! Oh, all 18 ducks and the other 5 turkeys were already in the barn and bedded down.

 

[HeatherD73]

Oh goody....something for me to look forward to in 6 weeks!!

 

[BigWeenMachine]

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.

Ugh, I hate khaki Campbells. They are such neurotic lil brats. I think I am gonna get rid of ours cos they are the most skittish ducks we have. Always freaked out about the slightest thing, won't let you get within ten feet of them and are tough to herd because they're so free willed and defiant. The rest of our ducks are easy to herd and don't freak out like the Khakis so I think I'm gonna phase them out.

 

[BigWeenMachine]

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.)

OMG, right??? Mine go to their coop most nights without a hitch. All I have to do is go out and close the coop cos they have already put themselves up for the night. But every now and then, I come out and they're still in their pond or waddling through the neighbors yard just taunting me with their quiet quacks, almost as if they are trying to hide or just challenge me to make them go up for the night. It's like you said, they're testing you to see if you're really gonna make them go to bed, lol. My son has them trained though so whenever he claps at them they reluctantly get outta the water and go to bed. Unfortunately, it only works for him and they could care less about my clapping. I get to chase them all over the yard for 15 minutes until they finally give in and go in the coop.....

 

[neschuler]

Ugh, I hate khaki Campbells. They are such neurotic lil brats. I think I am gonna get rid of ours cos they are the most skittish ducks we have. Always freaked out about the slightest thing, won't let you get within ten feet of them and are tough to herd because they're so free willed and defiant. The rest of our ducks are easy to herd and don't freak out like the Khakis so I think I'm gonna phase them out.

Neurotic is exactly the word I'd use. I'm surprised at how many people say good things about khakis, LOL. I am somewhat of a newbie only having had a few pekins and a few mutt ducks that were gifted to us besides the khakis, but the khakis are downright Bonkers compared to the others. I had hopes of having them as my layers but I'm not sure that I want to keep them at this point. Is there a particular breed of duck you've had the best luck with that has been the most friendly? I really like Welsh harlequins and people seem to say they're mellow, but I am I slightly hesitant only because I know they come from khaki bloodlines!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@neschuler - We raise Khaki Campbells here, and alot of what I attribute to their positive personality includes how they are handled as babies. We hand raise them and do lots of clicker training work with them, and having lots of interaction with them as youngsters and giving them positive reinforcement training has helped us have a good experience. Consider with whatever breed you get, learn about clicker training and help them have positive experiences when they are with you.

 

[Mutchi]

you notice this was made in 2009 right?

 

[CRmuscovy]

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.

I know exactly what you mean by "duck rodeo". I finally found a treat they can't resist and give it to them in their coop at evening.