hmm..that's annoying for you,especially if she's your SIL. wow,makes me wonder why some people choose to live in the country if they don't like the way it is there.
Can you possibly only fence the front part of your yard where they're crossing with chickenwire? It's a cheap way to fence and you only would need to use the 3 or 4 foot high one which is really cheap. you can also use whatever you happen to have in your shed or barn for posts every 5 feet. I used real straight tree branches once and worked like a charm. if the ducks see a barrier of any kind,they'll turn around and go the other way.
you can also try that plastic gate that they sell at the dollar store,that could work too...just an idea. the idea is to stop the crossing,and I think the only way is to fence.

You are going to have to pen them until you can solve the problem, and only let them out for short periods when you are RIGHT THERE to watch them. Sucks that your SIL is so uptight, but she does have the right to expect you to keep your animals on your property, no matter what they are.

Also, make your place more attractive to the ducks. If you don't have a pond, get a plastic kiddie pool and use that. Try to figure out WHY they are going over there and offer the same duckie amenities at home. :)

I don't think anyone can legally come onto your property and TAKE anything, even animals. They'd most likely write you a warning or a citation telling you to get rid of the animals if your keeping ducks is violating the law. If the ducks are on HER property, however, she might just call animal control and have them come out and get them. Check your local laws and regulations to see what your rights are.

Good luck! :)

Velvet ~:>

It's a pity that your relation with your SIL seems to be adversarial - she couldn't make the phone call to you? Of course, if she values her lawn and garden, and has, on numerous occasions, asked that you do keep your ducks at home, I can just about see her point, but also feel she was a bit over the top.

I think I am in agreement with both Velvet and Beeliz - only let the ducks out to roam when you can truly keep an eye on them, and as soon as you can't, then pen them again. Making a larger pen for them, with a water source, might help. As it is, since there is something over there they like, and since they do sometimes succeed in getting over there, they are highly motivated to keep trying. Habits confirmed by intermittent rewards are the most difficult ones to break. Having a fence to block any attempt would probably make keeping an eye on them easier.

Thanks,
She doesn't mind if her other neighbor's ducks go in her yard, just mine. This is only the second time since March when we moved them to their new pen.I'm talking 15 minutes tops.
My ducks are in a wooded area with a creek and I fill the pool. They have weeds and bugs and lots of stuff to eat and play with. I guess they think the grass is greener over there. Believe me when I say I don't let them just wonder over there. I try my best to make sure they stay put.I don't want them to be hit by a car either.
I have Muscovy ducks and the young males and the females can fly if they wanted to. I was just thinking of ways for them to not want to go there. Maybe it's the grass, we have some but it is mostly trees and weeds and young brush.Thanks for the thoughts
Ahbee

I guess that you will not be spending the holidays at her house or her at your house. I would get a new sister in law, or maybe you can kill her with kindness like stuff out of your garden or eggs or fresh bread.

Ducks and geese like grass, maybe if you had more lawn they would prefer to stay home.

Invite her over for dinner. Serve roast duck. :o)

lf