Can I freerange ducks on a pond?

[thecreekhouse]

We have a large pond and another smaller one on our property. Is there any safe way for us to introduce ducks to our ponds without them all being eaten by predators? Would we need to keep baby ducks in a brooder with warmth until a certain age? If so, at what point would we introduce them to the ponds? We do have a dock on one of the ponds that could offer cover for them from overhead birds of prey.

 

[chickens really]

Always free range is open to all types of predators. I definitely only free range as I supervise. I don't have a pond because that would be impossible to get them in at night.

 

[CrystaBub]

Unfortunately with free-ranging comes the risk of losing your babies to predators. I don't free-range but I do give my ducks supervised walks around the yard and trips to the pond. They are pretty well trained to come off the pond when I tell them to - and if all commands fail, I get the red cup that they know always has treats in it - they'll follow the red cup anywhere LOL.

 

[DuckyDonna]

X 2 except I don't have a pond!