Duck don't like pond?

[CarleeAnn]

So, we raised our two ducks in a storage bin beside our bed and would take them outside to bath everyday. The "tub" they bathed in was an old fire pit that is lifted off the ground so we would pick them up and put them in it every time. When they were young they would climb up on some rocks to show they were done and once they got older they would jump out on their own, but never did they go in on their own.

Herein lies the problem; They out-grew the little fire pit so we invested in a 40 Gallon Stock tank to give them plenty of room! Unfortunately they will make no attempt to enter the pond on their own and now when placed in the pond they almost immediately jump out. We try to herd them to the edge to encourage them to jump in on their own but they were very unhappy and I do not want to make the pond anymore of an uncomfortable place.

And I would just let them figure it out, but they get very stinky and we still take them inside when we can't be with them because we don't have the yard protected during the day, so they need a bath!

Any suggestions or tips? Thank you.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Anything new takes time especially for ducks they really don't like anything new. lol
so if they like peas of meal worms you might try tossing some into the pond and see if they will go after them. Both will float they are probably traumatized for now since you have been making them go in so give them some time now to get use to it on their own. You could even try putting something close to their pond they can bathe in a under the bed plastic tote would work just something to encourage bathing then start tossing yummies into it then into the pond you have set up. Once they see the big pond isn't going to eat them they will be in love with it.

 

[CarleeAnn]

That is a good idea! I know they like crickets, but I'm sure they would love mealworms. Perhaps we will try just letting them splash next to their pond in something shallow with a few treats in that, then transition the treats to the big pond and see if the duckies follow! I will keep updating on their progress.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like a good plan I have a cement mixing pan for winter bathing that works good for shallow bathing.

 

[jvls1942]

You had them trained to go in if you put them in.
I would just keep putting them in the big tub until they got used to it.
are they muscovy ducks ?
muscovy don't usually take to water like the mallard breeds do.

I had a flock of 16 geese many years ago. every day I would herd them across our field and into the woods and into the river. about 300 yards total trip.. they never learned to go on their own..

 

[CarleeAnn]

They are Swedish Ducks, and seem to love water. They resort to trying to bath in the water bowl we give them inside. It's nice to know some ducks just want a push, if transitioning them with treats doesn't seem to work I suppose we will continue to put them in ourselves.

 

[CarleeAnn]

They did it! My girls got in their pond all by themselves... well, the first time I was sitting on the other side of it so they came to swim with me! We had a fun, messy, time but they trusted the pond after I showed them there was nothing to fear. I can't believe I never thought to do that!