Should I make them go out and play?

I posted this question on the other forum, but I was curious about other opinions...

My ducks are acting like my kids used to when they were younger. They would spend all their time in their room and I would have to force them to go out an play.

Now I notice my ducks spend most of their time hiding in their hut. Sure, they come out to eat and drink (obvious by the mess ), but other than that they are in their hut.

I wouldn't care EXCEPT I bought these ducks so I could get eggs. Egg production depends on sunlight and there is no sun shining in that hut!!!! :p (I have also been banned from running electricity out to the shed and I don't have money in the budget for solar lights right now. Grrr)

The back yard is completely fenced and they already see their pen and hut as their "happy place" so I have no worry about them escaping or not going to bed at night....

But seriously....should I make them go out and play???

Its still cold so they are probably trying to stay warm but if they aren't venturing out on sunny, calm days maybe they need to be booted out.
Some of my ducks would opt to hang inside if I left the door open.
If you want duck eggs year round you might want to consider getting Khaki Campbells. They lay 300 some eggs per year. Too early for most other breeds to start laying.
What breeds do you have?

I have 2 khakis (one is a drake) and an Indian Runner. They should be laying. The other girl is a buff duck and she wont be due to lay until Spring.

Hmmm..mine usually go sit on the snow and pull their feet up into their feathers so that they can be out. I also have large garage doors on either side of my pole barn, and they line up at the edge of the door and bask. No eggs from Khakis makes me think they are using all their energy to stay warm. I don't know. My Swedish mutt ducks are laying pretty well.

No laying yet. I have started to use a "night light" (Hubby's 18v Ryobi flashlight with the rechargeable battery). Should know if that is going to help next week

UPDATE: It has been almost 3 weeks and the ducks are now used to their new environment. They come out of the pen to explore and play in the large plastic storage container I am filling with water for them until their pond is done. In the last couple of days they have started some foraging. They have been nibbling the grass shoots and hunting for bugs. I guess it just took the a while to get comfortable in their new home.

I also caught Jack & Janice in an intimate moment. Apparently Jack, at least, is sexually mature. Eggs should be coming soon (crosses fingers)