Duck wont use new pond

[BullChick]

I know absolutely nothing about ducks.

Ducks don’t actually need to have a pool. All they need is water deep enough to stick their heads into to clean out their nostrils. They also need water to eat. All living things need water, but ducks actually need it to eat. If the water bowl is a few feet from the food, they get less food in the water.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ducks don’t actually need to have a pool. All they need is water deep enough to stick their heads into to clean out their nostrils. They also need water to eat. All living things need water, but ducks actually need it to eat. If the water bowl is a few feet from the food, they get less food in the water.

They may not need to have one but boy do the love that water. I have wait in winter on days high 30's and up and use a cement mixing tub on those days easy to dump. But they do manage to wash in their buckets too. Water is how they keep their feathers in tip top shape.

 

[Jlw0903]

When I want to get my ducks used to something new I pick them up and set them on it and hold them there for 10-15 seconds. Long enough for them to realize it wont kill them. Usually once I've done it with half of them and they show that they are cool with it now the others follow along.

Seems mean but it's better than waiting a week for them to figure it out sometimes.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Here is my favorite of the raised pond ideas I've seen on the forum:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/diy-raised-duck-pond.1302005/

I also have to say Miss Millie is adorable in her little pan. I would just move the pan a little closer to the desired bathing area each day until she discovers it. I would advise finding a better solution for draining the pond than by dipping it out with a pail. With only one duck it won't get super disgusting really quickly but it can get pretty foul. I would also second, or third getting her some companions. Ducks are social by nature and if all her friends have been chewed by various wildlife she'll be much more comfortable with a flock. If she can fly she's probably a Mallard. If she can't, she's probably a Rouen. I used to breed Rouens and enjoyed them very much. My drake wasn't too big of a jerk and I had six or seven hens with him.

 

[Kiwibird]

This is very similar to what I drain my "duck ponds" (actually half barrels) with. Mine doesn't have a handle, and it is a different brand, but works very similarly. The water isn't totally clear afterwards, because there is always a bit of mud left in the bottom, but the ducks like the fresh water:

 

[quackiemama]

They may not need to have one but boy do the love that water. I have wait in winter on days high 30's and up and use a cement mixing tub on those days easy to dump. But they do manage to wash in their buckets too. Water is how they keep their feathers in tip top shape.

Agreed I would have some unhappy duckies if they did not have pools to swim in. It always amazes me how the cold does not seem to affect their want to swim.

 

[Miss Lydia]

It was 32 the other morning my Runners jumped right into the pool like it was 80.