[The Relic]

I bought 3 khaki campbells yesterday and was hoping to let them out of their house tomorrow afternoon anyone any advise so they wont head for the hills.

[Hilarysmum]

We never did shut ours in, they were released into the barn, they just gradually came out and wandered around the garden.  (Dont follow my advice though, as they are now living permanently on the pond).

[pigsatlesrues]

We keep our birds in for 24 hours and then just open the door and they make their own way out when they are ready.  If you are worried about them taking off then cut one of their wings; they cannot fly off then, and I doubt they will want to walk away, expecially since they know where the easy food source is!

Kate 

[The Relic]

cheers guys im gonna let them out later

[doganjo]

No, don't, leave it till tomorrow.  Keep them inside for three days - don't clip their wings, let them out just before dusk - always feed them at dusk. Or if you feed twice, morning and early evening.  Then they won't stray and will come back in for their dinner.

[Hilarysmum]

I think thats what I did wrong, I feed adlib, as the chickens like to have food available at all times.  The ducks know they can nip in feed and off again before I can get to round them up and shut them in. 

[The Relic]

just got your message a little later doganjo i let them out today about 3 o clock they wer straight out. the chickens wer very interested especially the rooster (the Colonel) but all went well at the meet and greet. went over at half six the lock the chickens up and the ducks wer all up ready for bed. hope it keeps up.

[doganjo]

My ducks would stay out all night if I let them - dirty little stop outs, they are   But they do come back up from the stream to their run when it is beginning to get dark so that's when I put their food down.  Seems to work anyway.   I haven't let my chickens free yet but I'm toying with the idea of an electric fence so I can give them more freedom (to keep my retrievers gobs away from them Ducks aren't getting out either just now becasue of the pollution in the burn. Hope that gets sorted soon.

[Hilarysmum]

Yesterday I had to round up the Kevins (teenage ducks) which was the first time, as up till now they have gone to bed .  I put feed and water in with them.  Will take feed away during the day and replace it this evening.  Hopefully this will work.  Sad though as I like to feed the chickens ad lib and everything free ranges.  Thanks for the very helpful advice.

[doganjo]

When you say ad lib does that mean you have feeders in the run and keep them topped up?  I much prefer to feed twice a day as then they become more familiar with you..

[gavo]

Hello,

Try and associate bedtime with a spoken instruction. We always say "in you go" whilst marching them in the direction of their houses, after a while it's just a case of going outside, saying "in you go" and shutting the door afterwards.


Cheers

Gavin

[The Relic]

are you having a laugh gavin? do your birds go in on instruction? how long did that take?

[doganjo]

No, really - they DO understand.  I say 'come on then' when I call them for food and even from a fair distance away they come running.  If I'm outside and just pottering they don't come over unless I call them like that.

[The Relic]

yous are winding me up lol.

im gonna start "talking" to them see what happens. saying that i give my chucks a whistle when its grub time and they come running from all directions.

[Hilarysmum]

I feed a big feed in the morning, then again late afternoon, I try to feed the pasta then as well.  They all come and feed when they want.  I pick up the feed bins at night.  They come when called for food, then they all b g G ER off onto the pond again.  I try banging feed bins, calling nicely, deteriorating to standing on the banks screaming threats at them and muttering crispy fried duck and other obsenities, none of which makes any difference.  They tend to sit just out of reach quacking gently.  I need to have them in at night, not sure how to go about it.  It goes against all my feelings to pen them, as they really enjoy the pond.