to leave my ducks out all night? (within foxproof enclosure)

[Barrelofloves]

I have recently bought some new ducks and while the others go back in the duck house overnight, the new ones don't. It is an enclosed vermin proof enclosure but as I want them laying eggs won't they be too cold?

They are flighty but today they got less nervous around me but if I was to physically grab them and put them in I feel that would mean they'd be even more traumatised.

Do you think with time they'll want to explore and go in the duck house with the others? Or will this be a start of a bad habit if they stay out for the second night?

Try giving them an evening feed just beside the duck house or on the ramp going up to it. When they are feeding, put them in and shut the door.

My ducks have an enclosure to go in at night, with a duck house inside that - sometimes they lay inside the house, most of the time, they drop them outside wherever they like (mucky little things!) Cold won't affect their egg laying - if they're going to lay one, it's been developing for about 25 hours anyway, so they'll lay it whatever.
As long as there's no way a fox/mink etc can get them ,they'll be fine
(You could put some sort of shelter in the enclosure for them if they decide they want to be inside)
What sort have you got?

Make sure that the Badgers can't get in. we had a badger visit with ours and they are sure powerful diggers, bit one of our dugs on the wing and vet told us he would euthnaize her( for great fee!) dad is a doc and he stiched herup .She was as good as new but we did become overprotective. Badgers can be worse than mr Foxy!!!

ooh dugs should mean ducks saounds painful sorry typos

Yes have had badger attack before hence fort knox now with duck house in middle of compound.

It's so lovely in the duck house, nice and warm and the others snuggle up according to type, so would love it if the new ones joined them.

I also keep the food in there but worried the new ones would be hungry so put food in with some water in a shallow but wide feed bowl outside.

I might not feed any extra tomorrow and just hope the smell of the food in the duck house will lure them in. They are quite young knaki campbells but pleased to hear they may lay regardless of the cold.

In the morning they were so traumatised from the trip to my place they wouldn't drink or feed but by the end of today they were splashing about and feeding too and so not so stressed.

I spent practically all day with them slowly building their confidence so I'm pleased that worked so the thought of trying to pick them up would undoubtedly ruin what I've achieved so far.

One of the other ducks was a badger escapee (before the new compound) and so it was great seeing her enjoy herself today for the first time in the water.

I agree about badgers, they chewed through wood and chicken wire to get at my first ducks, I think I've foiled them now though.

Khaki Campbells are gorg (so intelligent\0 we used to have Indian Runners too they were hilarious. I LOVE DUCKSXXX

I absolutely love ducks too! I'd like to get some miniature appleyards but none in my area (berks)that I can find

We had Aylesburys too I dont know the Appleyards they sound cute though. I have reservations about Muscovies its the pink warty thing bless!

of your ducks.

Would you consider a tenant for your duck-house? I'd keep them warm, I bet they're really cuddly.

Keep posting about them please. When my DS wakes me up in the middle of the night I can dream I'm there.

With their lovely fluffy feathers and the quacking. God almighty I sound a bit mad, but honestly I'd take ducks over a shrieking toddler any day.

Sounds like they'll be fine with the fox-proof thing and if you're in the south it's very mild.

Trick !

I also love apricot call ducks with their cute little beaks!

I also keep pygmy goats after seeing their absolutely gorgeous little faces at a show and persuading my husband he wouldn't need to do any lawn mowing any more

Would like a miniature donkey too! Any one got one or two? Might need a new thread for that.

Am going to get a trio of Japanese quail as they are so fluffy and dinky educational for dc.

I will see if I can get the khakis to feed on the ramp tonight with a view to moving the bowl further up each day and finally getting them in. Wish me luck!

Now look, I'm awake with DS at Stupid O'Clock, I knew it!

Hope it all went well

Um, if they get cold won't they choose to abandon their principles and walk the gangplank? Much in the same way as when your cat turns his nose up at your 79p a tin cat food he'll come round the next day... or perhaps the day after that!

Maybe they go in after you´ve gone to bed & sneak out earlyso that you only think that they´ve been out all night?

I´m sure they won´t let themselves go cold.

I'd love to just pick them up for a cuddle and tuck them up with the rest but we're not at that stage yet!

The badger escapee duckling was so scared didn't move much at all for the next few days. I introduced another one once I had had the new compound built and fortified. Such a relief to see her back to her usual funny splashy self. Thought I might have to undergo a spot of 'duck counselling for post stress disorder' but a new feathered friend did the trick!

Despite food all the way up gang plank they are still out

No idea if YABU but this is my favourite thread title in ages! I'm thinking Felicity Kendal and Richard Briers and am !!

Ooh Barrel of loves that so reminds me of the Ross Noble sketch about tucking owls up into bed. Look it up on you tube, it's called 'never put a blanket over an owl' - very worth a listen.

Can we see some pics of them when you're not busy trying to coax them in?

How do I do that? I am so busy with 'socialising' my new additions to the family I have no clue how to send things electronically!

Spent much of the day inside duck compound throwing corn kernels individually so that they resemble fling insects so that ducks get the idea that I represent trustworthiness (and a source of food).

Luckily dc are as keen as me and didn't complain one bit about the hastily put together lunch of fried sausages and reheated pasta(nor did extended family arriving for sunday lunch).

In fact it was a good choice because there was a fair amount of leftover pasta which the hens and goats really enjoyed.

Did not want to confuse ducks so didn't give them any (but in my experience they're not too keen on rice or spaghetti).

Will put corn and pellets only at top of gang plank tomorrow. And continue trying to draw them closer with winged insect impersonations.