[doganjo]

My youngsters have started staying outside even after dark, and even with a small light left on in the garage.  They aren't eating as much as they were either so I can't tempt them in with food.  I don't like to leave them with nothing to eat all day as they are in a slabbed run.

They're safe at the moment as there's netting over their outside run, but it's a hassle having to go to the run and shoo them in, and that will only annoy me more as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder.

I want to make sure they come in at night before I let them out onto the pond as that could entice bushy tailed visitors.

Any suggestions?

[chrismahon]

Worth checking for red mite in the coop Doganjo.

[doganjo]

It's a brick garage and the hens aren't bothered - they're in there too.  No hesitation coming in at all.

[chrismahon]

Perhaps the hens are bullying them?

[northfifeduckling]

Hens should be  sleeping when ducks go to "bed"....


It's changed rapidly here over the last week, ducks are now in their houses when I come out and all summer I had to chase them round the garden at midnight! Can you train one of your dogs to gently show them where to go?

[doganjo]

Perhaps the hens are bullying them?

Nope, in separate dog runs

[doganjo]

Hens should be  sleeping when ducks go to "bed"....


It's changed rapidly here over the last week, ducks are now in their houses when I come out and all summer I had to chase them round the garden at midnight! Can you train one of your dogs to gently show them where to go?

Ha ha, good thought - Allez would show them all right - by collecting them and putting them in my hand!  but they really wouldn't like that 

I might send him into the outside enclosure to hasten them inside, they are in an inner pen.  It's for when they get into the pond that bothers me - this is a new trick they've developed!    and Mummy doesn't like it! 

[Caroline1]

We had occasions in the early days of herding and even carrying them into their bed, they soon realised it was better to take themselves and now start heading in as soon as they see us coming out in the late evenings.

[Penninehillbilly]

How about taking the food away about 5-6pm'ish, then they should be ready for a treat to tempt them in?

[doganjo]

How about taking the food away about 5-6pm'ish, then they should be ready for a treat to tempt them in?

Good thought - did that yesterday and they were inside waiting for me - I actually left them without food after breakfast time, and left a small light on overnight.  Food all gone this morning  Hope we've found the solution 

[bb41]

As in a previous post on another topic.  My ex bat ducks were a nightmare.

I feed first thing in the morning and as the days are getting shorter about 3.30.  I have a herding pen as mine are free range and I usually go out about 7.30 when hens have gone to bed and feed in their night house.

This then gets them into the pen and after about five mins they go in and eat .

I know your pain only too well :-)

[doganjo]

They've been in every night recently, but I suspect once they are able to get onto the pond things may change.  I may have to resort to Allez fetching them in for me