[chickenlady]

The muscovies go o bed on their own just before dusk! the 3 little runners now go to bed all on their own too at about the same time! Vic and Bob are another matter!  EVERY night i have to chase them around the garden and pick them up and put them to bed (in with the runners) now we are off on holiday in a few weeks time and i cant expect our elderly neighbour to chase these to toads around the garden every night and im already worried that they may end up left out one night cause he cant get them in!  any ideas anyone as to how i can get them to bed?

A very anxious im leaving all my babies for the 1st time, Debbie x

[karlooben]

tel them if they dont go to bed you will put them in a packet with a load of other crackers  or was that quackers 

[Vember]

A sprinkle of mealworms leading up to the door and some inside

Or corn

They are boys so it's food that will win them over to your way of thinking



Sarah

[treacleminer]

A sprinkle of mealworms leading up to the door and some inside

Or corn

They are boys so it's food that will win them over to your way of thinking



Sarah

So it works for all males not just humans??
I'm a great believer in bribery & corruption

[Foxy]

On a serious note, you might find as it gets darker earlier and colder, they will calm down and bit and put themselves to bed. My drakes are a nightmare for going to bed, and have only just starting behaving themselves !

[janet12000]

I stand in the garden wearing pyjamas and wellies, and say to them that if they continue to stay out then they deserve to get eaten by a fox.  
They usually put themselves in the middle of the paddling pool and quack at me with total disrespect.  

Sorry. In all seriousness. I have found a handful of cooked chickpeas works in getting them in.

[woodside farm]

could you build a temporary enclosed pen and coop for them while you are away?
then you needn't worry, and when you get back release them again and they might be so grateful they start being good and go to bed ontime (wonder if this will work for my kids  )

Michelle xx

[RichardA]

we feed ours corn in their shelter at night - no problem. They hear the back door open and in they go faster than we can walk up the path.
R

[chickenlady]

Thanks for all the replies!  we're getting closer! Vic and Bob ended up UNDER! the duck house tonight! we now think that maybe it is too high a ramp for them, as the runners manage it cause they walk rather than waddle and the muscovies have their own house which is even higher but they light to roost at night so like it high up! so this weekend we are going to cut the legs in half so the ramp isnt so steep for the boys!  fingers crossed that may solve our bedtime problems!
Debbie

[Foxy]

Good luck! Impressed that you have such well behaved runner ducks though!