Urgent - Bedtime for Ducklings

[Amy]

Hi
Today I had 7 little ducklings hatch. I have sat with them most of the day and watched Daisy (mum) lead them out of the duck house and down to the pond and they have frolicked there ever since! Such a wonderful, amazing sight! However, been to put my hens to bed and Daisy is refusing to move from the grass into her duck house. All the babies are sleeping underneath her but whenever I try to go near her to usher her to bed, she fluffs up and gets really grumpy so I dont want to stress her any more.
BUT neither can I face leaving them out all night.
Please does anyone have any suggestions about how to get them to bed?????

 

[foxy]

What I have is an enclosed fox proof run attached to house mum and her ducklings.She knows thats her place and it is safe from crows and magpies. She has a large shallow container for her ducklings to paddle in. We do have a large pond as well as she is allowed supervised visits there. I have found that ducks are very protective of their young, but not as bright as chickens for going to bed!

 

[Tim]

They are very vulnerable to predators. I would make sure you are around to watch for crows, magpies, hawks etc. during the day and unless like foxy they have a safe run for the night, I would put them in and lock them up whatever mum says...

 

[Amy]

I have a penned about 140sqm in and covered the top with nylon netting as we have buzzards, hawks, hen harriers etc here so nothing can swoop in and take them.

Luckily, Daisy (mum) now leads them into the hut when it starts to go dark then I go and shut them up for the night. However, the ducklings are naughtly little things and r into everything. They are so curious and want to investigate everywhere.

 

[foxy]

Tell me about it! I have two bonkers runner ducklings who on bedtime like to visit everyones house but their own!!!

 

[Amy]

The ducklings are running riot! Climbing on hens who are sun bathing...running amok causing trouble!