When will I beable to trust my ducks to roam outside the pen.

[Yetti]

Hello all. as of last night I found out the "Goslings" I bought are actually Pekings lol, but I was going to say I have been herding them into the pen at night using a broom. I walk behind them and put the broom just out ahead of my feet some and and put it opposite the direction I need them to go. I tell them to " get to bed" and see how they respond. so far they are getting the jist of it. as of now I don't feel comfortable about leaving them in the outside coop over night yet as they still have some yellow.

 

[ZoeS95423]

After 2 or three days of me having to chase them into the coop, they now know, when I go into their pen its time to go inside at night. They are getting smart. Except for one, which manages to get in the pond but I have to rescue it everytime cause it doesnt understand how to get out!!

 

[gapeach01]

I have had my ducks outside for a few days in their pen. Its about 8ft by 23ft. They Love Love Love to be outside, but I almost have to force them to go in their coop when the sun is setting. Their pen is new, and we had to rake out so its very very muddy. And I feel bad. But they dont seem to mind at all. I wish I could let them run around outside the pen, so that their pen area can get some green. They have a small "pond" which is really a old water trough we have burried in the ground. Is them getting dirty bad for them? I feel like I read somewhere that mud is very bad for their feathers. But Im not completely sure. So, how long do you think I should wait until I can let them free roam my yard?

We put a bail of hay in our duck pin.