Duck pond

[HappyDuckie]

I have 4 ducks. A drake that's around a year old, a hen that's about 4 months, and two ducklings that are 1.5 months. They currently have a large plastic pool, but it isn't very deep so they always swim in the cows trough instead! Anyways, I've got a pond and I want them to be able to swim in it, though its a good bit away from their coop. So I'd have to carry them all back and forth lol. My question really is, should I take them to swim? And I know for sure the hen and her ducklings would come back to me when its time to go, but the drake is very skittish towards people, and I'm not sure I could get him back out. Should I risk it? Any tips? Thanks in advance.

 

[LT71689]

Do you know for sure there arent any predators like turtles in the pond? How far is "a good bit away" (like could you fence them a little walkway or is it really quite far?)

it is tough to get a duck that's content with staying on the water off it when you're ready to pack up and go home - does he respond to treats - and if not do you think you could train him to respond to treats?

 

[corriemartin]

I wouldn't dare take my ducks down to the pond. I don't think I'd ever get them back.....

 

[HappyDuckie]

Do you know for sure there arent any predators like turtles in the pond? How far is "a good bit away" (like could you fence them a little walkway or is it really quite far?)

it is tough to get a duck that's content with staying on the water off it when you're ready to pack up and go home - does he respond to treats - and if not do you think you could train him to respond to treats?

Yes, I go down to look at the pond every day, no turtles. It is sort of far away, you have to cut through the pasture and down another path. My mama duck loves me, she will come back when I call her, and the ducklings are always right behind her. The drake I think wasn't handled properly, or even nicely, at his previous home. The closest he's ever willingly come to me is maybe 6 feet away. And he only got that close since I was holding the mama duck. He's terrified of people, I have to chase him inside the coop at night, and on the rare occasions I caught and held him he tries to bite me. Also, he won't respond to treats, but I think he might follow Chenga (mama duck) if she was following me home, though I'm not sure.