Why I came close to hating my ducks today (rant)

[bock]

Ugh! So, back in the good old days (3 months ago) the ducks would get let out promptly at 7:30, go hang out at the pond, and come back almost exactly at 3:40 every day for dinner. The past few months , they have to be called up the hill for dinner, otherwise they will stay there. Well, today I called them for a whole hour and they wouldn't come back. I decided I better go down to investigate and find the neighbors 2 dogs down there. On of them ran off, and the other that used to hang out at our house stayed to visit. Well, usually the ducks would just follow me as long as I have food, but they were scared to death of Max, even though they are fine around my dogs. So I locked him in the pasture, but they still would only come three feet out of the water to eat. I finally got someone to herd them from behind while I lead them after, about 45 minutes, but they immediately scattered. It was getting dark, so I just left them. I was SO fusterated, I could have cried. I tried to act I didn't care if the coyotes got them, but honestly, I am really attached to them, not to mention how much they cost. I guess their other dog might have been chasing them, but I know Max wouldn't do that. None of them seemed hurt though. I will try again to get them tomorrow....fun. *Sigh* Ok, rant over. I feel a little better now.

 

[KansasKid]

I can completely understand that. Coming here and venting helps to. I don't know how many times that my ducks wouldn't come up and stayed on the pond and made me furious. But then i got some chest waders for hunting and started using them to heard my ducks out of the water.

 

[sred98]

I think it's the time of year. My Muscovies used to be the first ones in the coop! Now, I have to chase them in there after dark! They just want to hang out outside and I don't know who it's making more crazy...me or the geese! :barbie. My geese won't go to bed until everyone is accounted for, and they get really cranky if they're kept up late.

As far as the dogs, my dog has been known to chase for fun if the birds are doing something she thinks is bad, or if I am herding them. Don't know if your dog might do something like that, but it's a thought.

Good luck!

Shelly

 

[Terri O]

Now what you need is a border collie that will work ducks! Mine would get them out of the neighbor's pond and bring them home and into the gate. Greatest dog I ever had...RIP Sarge! Terri O

Yeah...the one in my avitar--supposed to be my new stock dog. Her only saving graced is that she is young...

 

[KansasKid]

Quote:

mine will do just about the same thing, she just gets a little to close for my, and my ducks comfort though.

it would be great if you could raise one to herd just ducks.

 

[bock]

Thanks everyone, I am feeling a lot better now.

I need to get them tomorrow morning before those dogs come back.

Haha, I really do need a Border Collie. I was actually really interested in a BC/lab cross in the shelter last year, but we already have 2 dogs. I really don't think they would be much for herding. My yellow lab mix would just sit there and look confused, and it takes a lot to get her to actually jog w/out a leash. My chiwawa mix loves to try to bite them when we are herding them. But I think she would do more damage then good. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try though.

 

[KansasKid]

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just 2, heck we have 1 for every type of job here for a grand total of 10! I think ya need to look at getting a collie

Hope they will come in for ya in the morning.

 

[Blondiega1]

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I wonder too if it's the time of year.
The past couple of weeks, my boys (2 pekins) don't always want to come home for dinner when I call them!
And they are eating less too.
They about to make me crazy!!

 

[duckking]

Mine normally put themselves to bed in their house as soon as it gets dark. I just go out and lock them in. Last couple of nights, they didn't want to come out of their pool. I was tempted to leave them as their run is as predator proof as we can make it, but we have a bobcat skulking around and I would rather not tempt it. So I've had to herd them out of the pool myself. They were not happy....

 

[dawnjoennikki98]

hmmmm, interesting , as my ducks (hatched in late August) also are harder to herd into their house at night lately...and they are eating so much less than they used to, just in the past week and a half...they can't be finding more bugs etc.. the ground is practically frozen now. Getting them back up from the stream down hill out back is a nightmare! My neighbors must think I'm insane!