Training to free range

[nluoma]

I am new to ducks and am not sure how to proceed.
I have six young ducks, who are almost fully feathered now. They are currently living in a 10x10 dog run, which I move every few days. They have a pool, and we lock them up in a crate every night just to make sure nothing can get to them. I want them to be able to free range, as my chickens do. However, they still have not seemed to realize that I'm the bringer of the food. Any time I go into the run they run around like crazy squeaking and quacking. I'd like to start letting them loose on nice days, but I don't know how to call them back. How do you teach ducks to free range? I have 3.5 acres, including a nice calm creek, but we need to shut them up at night as there are many predators.
Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Do they go back into the crate on their own at night?
What is their ultimate night time housing going to be?

They don't really need to be trained to forage, they just need to know where to sleep.

 

[nluoma]

They currently do not go into the crate at night. They prefer to sleep on the ground. I just don't trust the security of the chain link over night. With the chickens I never had a problem, they like being inside at night. I currently am feeding them first thing in the morning, when I let them out, then in the evening when I get home from work.
Do you think it would help if I started feeding them at bedtime, inside the crate? I haven't because it's so messy... But I'm willing to put up with the mess to keep them safe!

 

[tatswell]

Try letting them 'free range' in a specific area, supervised, for a bit. Then entice them in with treats and a specific call. For example, "Come on" (clap your hands). Repeat until they come for the treats and put them away. Be consistent with your agenda, call, and treats- They are habitual animals. Also gradually give them a little more time and space to free range and eventually they will just know.
I did this with my ducks and occasionally when I would go back out to put them away they were already inside. In time they may, as mine did, need to be called- as they get a little carried away having fun in our stream and property. But they will learn fast as long as you are consistent