I usually go out to the back yard at around 4-5pm to put the ducks, geese and turkeys into their yards for the night. The chickens all sleep in the trees now, just like the guinnea fowl and peacocks; they have learned the hard way to be scared of the foxes.
The gang all head to their yard of their own accord. They are much more routine-orientated than I am, so sometimes I find them waiting patiently inside the yard and, when I arrive with lettuce, they make a lot of noise and I’m never sure if they’re saying ‘oh, goody, lettuce’ or ‘well, it’s about time!’ I think it’s probably the latter.
The three Indian runner ducks are a bit more difficult to round up. They still don’t seem to understand that they are in danger from foxes and they run away from me in that Basil Fawlty way that is both funny and frustrating. I have to put them in a separate yard from the gang because the male duck keeps trying to flirt (that is an understatement) with the female geese.
Once the ducks, geese and turkeys are all settled in their yards, I sit down at one of the adjacent picnic tables and have a drink while I feed the chooks. Sometimes I am joined by a particularly friendly peacock. No, he’s not really interested in the beer; he wants to steal some of the chook food!
jmgoyder 
Love hearing about other people’s animal chores and routines. It’s getting dark over here between 4-5pm so a drink at a picnic table sounds wonderful!
Except for the flies – we have a lot of flies this time of year.
I had heard about how amorous ducks are and that they would go after chickens, but I never heard they would go after a bird 2 to 3 times their own size! Wow! At round-up time I find it advantageous to use two long bamboo garden stakes. I hold them out to both sides of the group and they run whichever direction I am ‘funneling’ them to. I NEVER have to even touch them. Perhaps it would word for you with the ducks? ~ Lynda
That sticks idea is great – I will try it this afternoon. Re the amorous duck (by the way, I didn’t know ducks had an amorousity condition!) he pursues the female geese relentlessly so it is very good to have Godfrey to protect them from his advances!
I love Gdfrey’s name. There is an old Carol Lombard and William Powel movie called “My Man Godfry.” It is my favorite movie of all time. Hey, let me know if the sticks work for you with the ducks! 🙂
I hope the Godfrey in the movie is nicer than my Godfrey who is getting a bit nastier – I will have to look that movie up!
Now, to find some sticks to round ducks up with…
How awesome it that? I would be so honored if a peacock came to have a sit down with me. A beautiful life you have Julie
Yes, and sometimes I will get 3 or 4 of them sitting opposite me with the Bubbles next to me – it’s hilarious!