Ranging Ducks - Training your DUCKS to come when you QUACK!

2 years ago
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It may come as a surprise, but ducks are actually quite trainable. With the right motivation and a little patience, you can teach your pet ducks to free range and return to their pens on their own, become comfortable being petted and held, and even respond to their names. The key is to get them used to certain conditioning techniques little by little until they begin adapting to them.
1. Keep new ducks confined to their pen for one week. When you first bring a litter of ducklings home, get them situated in their pen and let them spend most of their time there. This will give them a chance to get familiar with their new surroundings. Before long, they’ll begin to identify the pen as a safe shelter to return to
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Make your ducks’ pen as comfortable as possible. Cover the floor with a thick layer of grass or straw to give your ducks a cozy place to nestle. Set out containers for a quality duck feed and fresh, clean water and keep them well-stocked. They should have all of their basic needs met the entire time they’re restricted to their pen
3. Start leaving the door of the pen open after a week. Following the initial acclimation period, allow your ducks to come and go as they please. They may be somewhat reluctant to leave at first. With time, however, they’ll get over their fear and take more of an interest in the world outside
4. Usher your ducks back into their pen at night. More often than not, they’ll instinctively return to shelter once dusk arrives, but if they seem confused or inattentive, they may need a little guidance. Use a long stick or pole to calmly direct your ducks back towards the opening of the pen. Once they're inside, leave the door open so they can begin getting used to coming and going as they please
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Repeat this routine for as long as needed. Turn your ducks loose to wander freely during the day and corral them back into their pen come nightfall. They’ll catch on after a couple of weeks. After that, it may not be necessary to ever close them up again!

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