Warmth causing ducks to be bad!

[Duckfarmer1]

Whenever we have one of those unusual warm days my ducks are driving me nuts in the evening. They just refuse to go into their house:
One of these days… and Another one of these days…
The last resort is my »flashlight of doom«, a strong LED lamp that plots a bright spot on the ground. It scares them so much they stumble downhill and into the house.
You could try that or a laser-pointer.

My ducks don’t care...I’ve tried it...and...yelled..in the middle of the dark...whhyyyyyy wannnaaabeeeehilllllbiiillllyyyy wwhhhyyyy?.... But seriously..I think we have different yards...we have no hill, I’m not sure, do you have a pond or a swimming feature? Out here...in farm country...a flash light disappears into nothingness...and it does nothing to ducks except cause a flutter upon the water...then silence..then a crazy lady jumping and shouting, etc! Our neighbors probably hate me..... So, anyways..I’m back in now. I went out...we had no cheap stuff left over from trying to fence them out of the neighbors swamp into his corn stalks last summer...hmmm. These guys?! So, we had some of the big orange stuff, not enough. And 2 pieces from our coop rebuild of solid fencing with chicken wire...but..the pen is much further than I thought. Plus...Chris hated the idea of the ducks sitting in mud all day...which...so did I...but, I didn’t think he’d come out at night for chores...chores take me 2 hrs at least...anyways...we talked about it and we’re gonna do the rope idea. Now, he’s looking for a rope long enough. Our pond is pretty big. It’s Bigger than I thought too. On the upside found three eggs, Sami was safe inside the summer pen somehow...and Little Lou was sitting happy it the midst of it all. I let him be with his friends outside and he’s making the most of it...mud from head to toe!! So, we’ll see how tonight goes...wish US luck...if he pretends to be asleep at dark....

 

[DiYMama540]

Good luck! Hope your stubborn ducks give you a break tonight and behave! It's always when we're feeling our worst that the birds amp up their antics.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Just like kids too!! Thank good ness he’s full grown...but..he did just tell me that He MAY have been the carrier...the friend he ran a marathon with a Saturday was sick while they ran...how dumb are you??

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I’d like a video of that screaming ducks running as fast as those widdle legs will take them from monster light of doom.

Weeeeelll! - Wouldn't that be like pouring salt into a wound. (From the Duckies pov!)
I really don't like to use it, only on "those days" and then i usually don't have the phone out with me. But let's see, the next warm front is forecasted for tomorrow afternoon…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Good luck! Hope your stubborn ducks give you a break tonight and behave! It's always when we're feeling our worst that the birds amp up their antics.

I can't second that! - When one of us is feeling really bad, for example with a bad headache the duckies are usually really sweet and quiet, as if they notice that you're not feeling well. I remember one summer day i laid down in the grass to rest and all the ducks came to check if i am ok. That was really sweet!

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Mine make their rounds...and I’m convinced it’s to see ME..but Chris thinks it’s just for crumbles?!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

My ducks don’t care...I’ve tried it...and...yelled..in the middle of the dark...whhyyyyyy wannnaaabeeeehilllllbiiillllyyyy wwhhhyyyy?.... But seriously..I think we have different yards...we have no hill, I’m not sure, do you have a pond or a swimming feature? Out here...in farm country...a flash light disappears into nothingness...and it does nothing to ducks except cause a flutter upon the water...then silence..then a crazy lady jumping and shouting, etc! Our neighbors probably hate me..... So, anyways..I’m back in now. I went out...we had no cheap stuff left over from trying to fence them out of the neighbors swamp into his corn stalks last summer...hmmm. These guys?! So, we had some of the big orange stuff, not enough. And 2 pieces from our coop rebuild of solid fencing with chicken wire...but..the pen is much further than I thought. Plus...Chris hated the idea of the ducks sitting in mud all day...which...so did I...but, I didn’t think he’d come out at night for chores...chores take me 2 hrs at least...anyways...we talked about it and we’re gonna do the rope idea. Now, he’s looking for a rope long enough. Our pond is pretty big. It’s Bigger than I thought too. On the upside found three eggs, Sami was safe inside the summer pen somehow...and Little Lou was sitting happy it the midst of it all. I let him be with his friends outside and he’s making the most of it...mud from head to toe!! So, we’ll see how tonight goes...wish US luck...if he pretends to be asleep at dark....

Good luck with the rope! I would attach some strips of fabric to make it look even scarier to those dux!
The hillsite really doesn't matter in regards of the flashlight. I can chase them up- or downhill as well as flat. That bright spot on the ground is the scariest thing in the world for my ducks. Scarier that the "duck swallowing straw-bale", the "killer-pellet-sack" and even the "blue catfoot from hell bag" is nothing in comparison to the flash-light. I must turn it off before i approach the duck-house door, otherwise they would kill themselves in an attempt to break through the solid walls!
I do have a pond, but the duckies haven't found it yet… Which is good, because it is right at the woods where predators can hide and snatch an unsuspecting duck for dinner. Need to cut the brushes and trees back and apply some fencing and the it's duck vacation day!
Would love to see a picture of muddy Little Lou!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Me too!

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Well...it’ll have to wait for another day..my flu ramped wayyy up..so I sent Chris outr alone. Yikes! I gave him a list of things to do...but he’s already behind...he didnt take the big flashlight. Hmmm. He did it all alone on Christmas Eve, but, it was cold and the ducks had put themselves away...so...we’ll see how long it takes him. On a good night I’m out there about 2 hrs. Hmmmm..will he rush it? I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the ducks are just starving and tired and willing to go in!

 

[ValerieJ]

Well...it’ll have to wait for another day..my flu ramped wayyy up..so I sent Chris outr alone. Yikes! I gave him a list of things to do...but he’s already behind...he didnt take the big flashlight. Hmmm. He did it all alone on Christmas Eve, but, it was cold and the ducks had put themselves away...so...we’ll see how long it takes him. On a good night I’m out there about 2 hrs. Hmmmm..will he rush it? I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps the ducks are just starving and tired and willing to go in!

I hope so! Hope the little ducks want to go in when they are supposed to!