Ducks liking water ?

[Beryl]

Hi, my 2 ducks of 6 months old ( Thelma and Louise) have a kiidies pool with a ramp into it and stones inside for them to get out of. Louise will go in over the side, stand on the stones and have a splash about. I have yet to see her actually " swim". Thelma just drinks out of the pool. They are happy to splash about from standing by an old washing up bowl,and a bucket. Will they eventually venture into the pool for a "swim " ???? One is a campbell, the other a buff mix. We have only had them a couple of weeks so still quite nervous of humans, although my daughter is gradually getting their trust. As long as they are happy doing what they do that is fine but I did not want to be doing something wrong and them missing out on their fun time in the water. We have yet to get any eggs but I know that will eventually happen. Thanks in advance beryl.

 

[duckyfromoz]

If these ducks did not have access to swimming water at their previous home- they may be more used to trying to splash from a water bowl. Im sure in time they will discover how to make full use of that kidy pool. How big are the stones you have in there in comparison the the depth of the water?

 

[Beryl]

The stones are large flat ones and come to about the top of ducks legs when she stands on it. and pool is about three quarters full of water. Louise gets in over the side of the pool to stand on the stones , not using the ramp. Is this ok for stones and water and if not can you suggest right thing to do .thanks

 

[Amiga]

Beryl, sounds like you have a good setup. The ducks probably haven't figured out how to get the most fun out of it yet. One will figure it out, the other will follow.

My ducks enjoy swimming so much that sometimes in their brooder, they will dip their bills in the water tray, and act as if they are diving!

 

[Beryl]

Thanks Amiga, Hopefully they will learn what to do and as it seems we did our research correctly about them before we got them then they should be happy ducks. Ah I would love to have baby ducks... maybe one day !!! Good luck with the babies Beryl

 

[duckyfromoz]

The stones are probably fine- I often use something similar when my youngs ones are using the pool for the first few weeks. My concern was that if they were overly large they may inhibit the ducks ability to move around the pool freely. I often see my adult ducks doing mini laps of their pool underwater - but if there was something like a stone in their way - they too would only be able to stand there flapping as the pool is quiet shallow already. So it is only the younger ones thay have two brick shaped stones in their pool to make sure they are able to get out of the pool without my assistance - as being smaller they still have plenty of room in the pool to dive underwater.

 

[Beryl]

Thanks for the advice, Maybe I will take one of ths stones out to give them some more space. I expect it is trail and error so will keep a look out for their first " swim " Beryl

 

[FenDruadin]

Ducks tend to be very wary of anything "new"--even swimming water. We have a large, lovely lake at the bottom of our property and I just knew my first batch of ducks would go crazy happy over it once they were old enough to venture down there. I was wrong. They loved to go down and *look* at the water, but they wouldn't actually get in it for anything. I finally resorted to throwing them in, but they would spread the wings that aren't supposed to be able to carry them, and fly right back to the shore before they even touched the water.

With my second batch, I introduced them as ducklings to the lake and had better luck. I imagine my first batch could have learned to love the lake, but I didn't want to take the time to walk them down there and splash around in it myself every day for weeks, lol.

One of yours is going to fall in one day and discover what a joy it is and the other will watch jealously for a few minutes and then join the fun.

Give them time.

 

[miniwhipkey]

When I got my first call duck, he wouldn't swim in the baby pool. He like to stand in water, but wouldn't swim. So, I lowerd the water to where he could walk around in it and slowly raised the water more and more each week. Now he loves his pool and loves to swim. Just an Idea.

 

[Beryl]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I will persevere with them and one day i am sure they will just get in. As long as they are happy then I am happy.