ducks and geese wont go in my pond!

[catsbully]

I would appreciate some suggestions here....
I have 2 chinese geese and 5 indian runner ducks that I free range with my 40 chickens. a couple of weeks ago I'd had enough of the water changes in the kiddie pool I have for them so I decided one morn to leave them in the dog crate (I am still trying to decide on the design of a house for them) and put it on the wagon to take them to our very large pond we have on our property. Now understand I have wonderful visions of opening the crate and seeing all 7 of my beautiful birds jumping into this watery oasis and slashing around with gleeful abandon! well just my luck they took one look at the pond and ran back to the house! not once but twice! after coraling them back to it
so what do I do now? should I keep up this morning ritual until they finally get it or?......

 

[FireTigeris]

Yes- they have never seen it- it might have monsters in it.



Get a treat they like and put some at the water's edge and in the water before letting them out, you may want to also give them 2/3 (over half) of their normal food the night before so they will be hungry enough to eat first and run later if this really bothers you.

Or borrow some decoys?

 

[catsbully]

the decoy thing sounds interesting that might be doable as a friend has some for hunting...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Also please make sure you don't have snappers in your pond, they can do serious damage to ducks and geese feet biting off toes and even feet. and will eat ducklings.

 

[rainplace]

We had a pond that the waterfowl didn't want to go in and finally I was able to entice them to go into it only to have one get immediately eaten by a mink. It was the worst thing I ever witnessed, and I've never completely forgiven myself. If they think there are monsters in there, there just might be.

 

[Miss Lydia]

We had a pond that the waterfowl didn't want to go in and finally I was able to entice them to go into it only to have one get immediately eaten by a mink. It was the worst thing I ever witnessed, and I've never completely forgiven myself. If they think there are monsters in there, there just might be.

So sorry.

but so true.

 

[Habibs Hens]

i have the same issue

one of my ducks hates the water

i picked her up and put her in and all she wanted to do was get out

its a instinct thing

as she has never been in water

so doesnt know of it

 

[catsbully]

thanks for the fast and helpful come backs! I know there are no snappers or we wouldnt have the amount of fish we do have but as for other rodents or minks not sure but I dont think they are in our area? southern ontario canada. but what a heart break to witness that! we also have a wind powered pump in the pond it stays open most all of the winter! so it would be useable all year. so i think its decoys and alot of patience.

 

[fastrnrik]

I got the first of my ducks a few weeks ago. 6 pekins. I bought them on craigslist. My pond is an acre and half and it's awesome. I really wanted some ducks swimming around looking all peaceful LOL. I had previously checked the pond for gators and there were none. The one that was frequently visiting the pond was relocated the week before, and I checked the pond every day, even the afternoon that I went & bought my ducks, so I was confident no reptiles had come to visit. I kept the ducks pinned up that night up by my house and was going to release them into the pond the next morning. As mentioned above I had visions of opening the cage & the ducks being so overcome with the joy of graduating from a kiddie pool to this glorious pond that they would rush in the water and do some choreograped water ballet LOL. Instead... they slowly walked up to the waters edge where an 8' alligator who was laying submerged and unseen promptly attacked them. I mean what are the odds a big gator would show up that night AND I would release ducks in the exact spot he was hiding? Soooo the alligator tries for the ducks a couple of times before I can catch him and get him drug out & tied up. Luckily he didn't get any of the ducks, but of course they were freaked out and won't go anywhere near the pond. After a couple weeks I'm thinking I have mentally scarred my ducks forever, so I go buy some more ducks, some swedish and a rouen. I figured if they see these new ducks swimming safely, then they will see it's ok and all will be well. wrong... instead ALL of the scared pekins would stand on the bank loudly quacking at the new ducks as if they were saying "HEY MAN GET OUT, THERE'S A BIG 'OL GATOR IN THERE!!!" LOL. So then I bought some geese. The big Chinese male is kind of the boss and herds the pekins around, and shortly after he showed up they were swimming up a storm. Maybe they feel safe with the goose around. I dunno.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I got the first of my ducks a few weeks ago. 6 pekins. I bought them on craigslist. My pond is an acre and half and it's awesome. I really wanted some ducks swimming around looking all peaceful LOL. I had previously checked the pond for gators and there were none. The one that was frequently visiting the pond was relocated the week before, and I checked the pond every day, even the afternoon that I went & bought my ducks, so I was confident no reptiles had come to visit. I kept the ducks pinned up that night up by my house and was going to release them into the pond the next morning. As mentioned above I had visions of opening the cage & the ducks being so overcome with the joy of graduating from a kiddie pool to this glorious pond that they would rush in the water and do some choreograped water ballet LOL. Instead... they slowly walked up to the waters edge where an 8' alligator who was laying submerged and unseen promptly attacked them. I mean what are the odds a big gator would show up that night AND I would release ducks in the exact spot he was hiding? Soooo the alligator tries for the ducks a couple of times before I can catch him and get him drug out & tied up. Luckily he didn't get any of the ducks, but of course they were freaked out and won't go anywhere near the pond. After a couple weeks I'm thinking I have mentally scarred my ducks forever, so I go buy some more ducks, some swedish and a rouen. I figured if they see these new ducks swimming safely, then they will see it's ok and all will be well. wrong... instead ALL of the scared pekins would stand on the bank loudly quacking at the new ducks as if they were saying "HEY MAN GET OUT, THERE'S A BIG 'OL GATOR IN THERE!!!" LOL. So then I bought some geese. The big Chinese male is kind of the boss and herds the pekins around, and shortly after he showed up they were swimming up a storm. Maybe they feel safe with the goose around. I dunno.

Wow what a story, so glad they were all safe. and now have a body guard to patrol the waters. I think I would be out there everyday worried another will show up, I hope not for your ducks sake. Thanks for sharing. And