Ducks being strange

[Jnewt419]

I have a handful of mallards a few Pekin ducks. They are locked up at night and turned out all through the day to the pond. For about the last 2 weeks they absolutely refuse to get in the pond. They just sit on the bank and stare at it. Before this as soon as you opened the pin they would run straight to it. Anyone seen this before? It's not some of them, it's all of them

 

[21hens-incharge]

Snapping turtles in the pond maybe?

 

[Jnewt419]

Snapping turtles in the pond maybe?

I've thought about that but cant seem to find anything Thia particular pond is a small generally clear pond. They usually hang around one area of it. ive tried to introduce them to the other end or even a second pond that's fairly close but no go. They do act pretty anxious though

 

[21hens-incharge]

Something happened while they were on the water I think.

Eagles, turtles and hawks are what come to mind for me.

 

[Jnewt419]

Hawks could be something. Hadn't thought about that but we do have a lot of hawks around.

 

[21hens-incharge]

You might need to keep the ducks penned up in a secure house and run until the hawks move along.

If you do be sure there is netting or wire over top.

Nothing quite says free lunch like a sitting duck.

 

[DuckyDonna]

gators perhaps?

 

[DiYMama540]

Agree with the others, sounds like something happened in the pond that scared them.

Is there anything new around the pond? Benches, plants, trash? It could be as simple as a plastic bag blew into the pond, but I would be worried about a predator.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Trust their instincts. Something has scared them. Do you have a small kiddie pool you could set up for them so they don't have to go near that pond? I know it's kinda hard to find them this time of the year but maybe someone you know has one you could use.

 

[choose2rejoice]

I have a handful of mallards a few Pekin ducks. They are locked up at night and turned out all through the day to the pond. For about the last 2 weeks they absolutely refuse to get in the pond. They just sit on the bank and stare at it. Before this as soon as you opened the pin they would run straight to it. Anyone seen this before? It's not some of them, it's all of them

My two Peking Ducks did this until today. When I let them out in the morning they would flap and run to there little blue pool. For the past three days, until this afternoon, they wouldn't get into the pool. Today I poured the water out, rinsed out the pool and moved it. They stayed in for a long while. My husband filled the pool when they wouldn't get in. He thought maybe it had something to do with him. I asked on BYC because there was other weird behavior. Everyone seemed to think it was a predictor watching them. If you figure it out let me know please. .... I will say this, I saw a video on YouTube about birds acting weird before tremors.