The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Declan on November 14, 2010, 10:20:11 pm
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I've got 3 new ducks- my first. How in hell can I get my ducks into their house. They just refuse. Walk round it/under it/fly over it/flap every damn way but will they go into it? Hell no.
Its only a matter of time before foxy calls.
The house is a hen house about 10 inches off the ground but I've made the ramp lots longer for them to access it.
Help or advice please.
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I would pen them up so that the only place they can shelter is there hut and that makes it easier to catch them and put them in if need be. I would also feed them in the hut and generally make them think that this is there home.
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I feed mine last thing at night inside their shed so if they are hungry they go in.
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Oh welcome to the wonderful world of ducks ;D ;D you gotta love ehm. Well after me ranting ::)
My neighbours probably think I'm mad :D my favorite and most used evening Fraze's
1/ Get to bed or your dead before the sun comes up
2/ If a bloody fox was here you wouldn't be so determined to not go to bed
3/ how long do i have to go round and round the pond like a complete T&^%$
4/ your doing this deliberately and it ain't funny anymore; ITS BLOODY RAINING :'(
5/ Get in the house or my bloody freezer the choice is yours!
Patience and cunning in short ;D :&> :love:
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I feed inside the hut and only have problems with new ducks. Ducks are greedy and they like their food so only feed inside and they will go in for it. As for new ducks I make a funnel with boards to usher them in. A good sheepdog works as well! ;)
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I've kept various ducks for years - I just say bed, and in they walk, always have. I walk behind them and shut the door.
I think I must be a 'duck whisperer'. ;)
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I use a long bamboo cane and herd them in with that.
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I've kept various ducks for years - I just say bed, and in they walk, always have. I walk behind them and shut the door.
I think I must be a 'duck whisperer'. ;)
Teach me, teach me, :D :D Oh wise one of misticle powers. ;D
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put down some feed and in they go ive always found my ducks really good at going in it only takes em once or twice they get it its the bloody turkeys who are a pain in the arse 18 months n istill end up pickin em up
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Cobra, that made me laugh!
I can be heard most evenings having the same conversation with a variety of God's creatures ;)
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Made me laugh too - all of the above, cane, walking silk, Long tree branch to usher off pond - me thinks it's also timing - too early and they don't want to go in - too land and they just won't budge - so when the nights get darker/dark day even the most vigilant can be caught out - best of luck
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mine were the same! I blocked the underside off and the side of the ramp, so they can't hide under anything. In the beginning it took 3 people herding them into their run (one each side of the run, so they wouldn't escape sideways) and 1 following them without spooking them so they would walk up the slope - it was a bit of work to teach them! Now they go in by themselves (in the winter). I always fill one bowl with soaked wheat i n their run before they go in, so they have more of an incentive to go. Happy herding! :&> :&> :&>