4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[bessandra]

Hiya

 

I'm having a few problems with my 3 girls. I reared them from only a few days old to six weeks of age (7 weeks this week). They have been outside in a run all day for a couple of weeks now and I've started to put them outside at night.

Last night, their first night, was a disaster. I was out until about 9.30pm and when I got back, they were pacing in the run, quacking their little heads off. You see, they have been living in a puppy cage in the conservatory overnight. It's all they've known. Anyway, I set the cage up in the doorway of the conservatory and put the ducks into bed in the cage. They instantly settled down.

Tonight, their second night, has been worse. I'm sat here with OH watching a film and the ducks are going mad outside. It's an awful racket.

What am I to do?

I guess this is because I am 'mummy'. They cant live inside anymore, they are smelly and big! And I want my conservatory back! I dont know how to getthem used to being outside at night.

I am so grateful for any help and advice.

 

A desperate Rachel....

[Guest]

Hang on...are you putting them in a shelter or housing at night?? They need to go into an enclosed ie dog kennel will do (shut the door ) fox proof house at night. They will need probably capturing and putting inside(they are not like chickens and wont go in on their own. You could put a small amount of food in a feed bowl to entice them in.

 

If they are out in a run with no protection they are probably terrified of foxes etc.. They dont need perches just some ie shavings on the floor to sleep on. Make sure its rat proof too.

 

Hope that helps they will settle down. Put them in before it gets too dark.

 

Ducks can be a pain to put in at night.

 

good luck let us know how you get on

indie

ps the weather is fine now for them to be out as well.

[bessandra]

Hi indie

Thanku for your reply.I'm so grateful.the girls have a beautiful wooden dog kennel to sleep in. So what you are saying is that if I put them to bed before dark then they shouldn't panic?but what about when I'm on holiday or out for the evening? How will that work?

I thought ducks just slept out in the garden,under a bush or something?

Many thanks,

Rachel

[Guest]

Hi Rachael

 

Please try not to be too desperate things cannot be that bad

 

I am sure you are a very good ducks mummy, especially as you are able to provide a beautiful wooden dog kennel and conservatory

 

As for holidays and going out that is still possible even with a couple of ducks to look after

 

Please post some pics of your set up as that may be able to help you get some better advice from other forum members with better suggestions as to what to do

 

Good luck

indie

[Lesley]

Hi Rachel - were they used to the dark when in the conservatory? They would make a noise if they weren't used to the dark but I'm sure they were, so it's probably just that they weren't used to being out and made a bit of noise about it.

 

As they have a kennel and a run then they should soon settle down. Make sure thay are well protected from fox attacks.

 

Ours have a duck house and a long run which is protected by electric wire. The ducks usually sleep out in the run, but I know thay are safe.

[bessandra]

Hi Lesley and Indie

Thank you for your messages. I hope you are both well.

Tonight has been quieter - I bribed them in their house with spaghetti - their favourite! And it was fairly painless and successful! What I dont understand is why they make so much noise at 8.30, their bedtime apparently. What is that all about? I wont be home tomorrow night until half past nine so I will have to leave them out crying - what else can I do?!

I also spoke with my neighbour who was totally chilled about the girls and the noise - and very happy to be receiving eggs when they start to late (a while yet!)

 

They are not behind an electric fence - I wondered about buying a fox watch unit to place on top of their wooden kennel - might be worth a shot?

 

Lesley - they have been used to the dark but they were used to sleeping with the dogs and being high up - the cage was on a table on the dogs sleep on the sofa opposite. I wonder if its all been too much of a change for them. After all, we all like routine....

 

Rachel

[Lesley]

I'm sure they will soon settle down - it's a bit like babies ....they sound really loud to parents but mostly reasonable quiet to others....good that your neighbour is OK about them.

[Caroline]

when we first got our ducks, we guided them to bed each night (they don't let you touch them) by putting out our left arm to make them go right and right to make them go left... both for straight if they stop moving.

 

After a little while, ours started putting themselves to bed at around dusk. they do get a bit brave now and then and decide to stay out but then we guide them in again.

 

Hope they settle soon, I'm sure they will.

[Guest]

when we first got our ducks, we guided them to bed each night (they don't let you touch them) by putting out our left arm to make them go right and right to make them go left... both for straight if they stop moving.

 

After a little while, ours started putting themselves to bed at around dusk. they do get a bit brave now and then and decide to stay out but then we guide them in again.

 

Hope they settle soon, I'm sure they will.

 

 

Sounds like air traffic control but as long as it works indie

[bessandra]

Ah thanks indie!it has been not too bad this week but they didn't want to go tonight!I bribed with tagliatelle and they are in bed now,phew! I will try the air traffic control for sure!

I hope you are well,

Rachel

[Guest]

Ah thanks indie!it has been not too bad this week but they didn't want to go tonight!I bribed with tagliatelle and they are in bed now,phew! I will try the air traffic control for sure!

I hope you are well,

Rachel

 

 

Ducks are very nice and cheeky but I did use to put a few pellets in to bribe them in, sometimes one would charge off, usually when you are in a rush(I am sure they know they can take libertys)

Glad its going well

 

Have a good weekend

indie

[cordelia]

great advice from everyone...my brother is going to be the lucky owner of a mummy duck and 4 baby indian runner ducks soon, and hes asking what kind of set up to get...as i have chickens....I have pointed out the differences in housing, need for water etc (argos do a £18 rigid sand pit as a starter..before he indulges in ponds and pumps etc...

 

 

anyway this has been a great help...

 

hope the ducks have settled down at night for you ....

 

as i now see its a month later...Im sure they have LOL !!!!!!

[Guest]

great advice from everyone...my brother is going to be the lucky owner of a mummy duck and 4 baby indian runner ducks soon, and hes asking what kind of set up to get...as i have chickens....I have pointed out the differences in housing, need for water etc (argos do a £18 rigid sand pit as a starter..before he indulges in ponds and pumps etc...

 

 

anyway this has been a great help...

 

hope the ducks have settled down at night for you ....

 

as i now see its a month later...Im sure they have LOL !!!!!!

 

 

 

Today in big tesco extra they had the half shell blue sand pits but I didnt see the price but it would be ideal for a pond!

 

indie

[bessandra]

Hi!

I havent been on here for sooo long!

The girls are lush - a bit noisy, VERY mucky but incredibly entertaining! They have settled down considerably but as Indie has said all along - they dont put themselves to bed. They simply stay outside - I almost feel a bit guilty, climbing into my spacious bed with warm duvet..but I dont have the luxury of beautiful khaki campbell feathers I suppose!

I am going to put another post on in a mo..one has a poorly leg

Rachel

ps. I hope everyone else is well, and you Indie?