Ducks wont drink water

[Meg-in-MT]

Do you have a multimeter? One of the biggest reasons an animal will quit drinking is a low level current in the water that you cannot feel. Usually a grounding/short issue. It may turn them off of all water because they associate it. Just an idea

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don’t know how they are eating with out drinking mine would choke to death, water and food goes together.

 

[Musolff2015]

Do you have a multimeter? One of the biggest reasons an animal will quit drinking is a low level current in the water that you cannot feel. Usually a grounding/short issue. It may turn them off of all water because they associate it. Just an idea

Interesting! I did wonder about shock just not to that extent! I felt all around the cord and bucket holding just to see. I also figured they would at least drink from the outside bowl as they usuall come running like its gold haha I just dont get it! I will see if my husband can test it
You wouldnt happen to know what voltage is expected would you? Or have an links directly related to heated water buckets with this issue? I did a little searching online after responding initially and cant find much of anything other than people have the issue with water toughs and typically a higher voltage. Something stated any more than .01 is hazardous for farm however I dont know if that applies to a standard heated water bucket in a coop...

 

[Musolff2015]

I don’t know how they are eating with out drinking mine would choke to death, water and food goes together.

I've saw them eat plenty without for a few minutes and that's it. This is blowing my mind! How on earth can the down wedges of cantaloupe, guts and all, cucumber and a ⅓ gallon of feed within a day and not drink a damn thing or even flush their nares!?!?!

 

[Steven Bussell]

This is bizarre. Maybe something scared them near their water receptacle? Could you try one that is very different?

Have you tried putting mealworms in their water? Mine love mealworm water. Floating salads?

Mine expect mealworms in thier water every night. The second they hear my truck they go crazy

 

[Miss Lydia]

I've saw them eat plenty without for a few minutes and that's it. This is blowing my mind! How on earth can the down wedges of cantaloupe, guts and all, cucumber and a ⅓ gallon of feed within a day and not drink a damn thing or even flush their nares!?!?!

Makes no sense to me! Although cantaloupe and water melon and tomatoes has a lot of liquid In them seems they’d still have to dunk their heads and drink. Why not just put out the heated bucket and just do an experiment with the one bucket.

 

[thumper650]

Throwing in mealworms will let you know if they’re drinking when you’re not looking.

 

[Musolff2015]

Throwing in mealworms will let you know if they’re drinking when you’re not looking.

All 3 water containers are crystal clear and full so I know they havent touched it. I threw spinach in them (they go crazy for it) and they didn't touch it

 

[Miss Lydia]

If they like meal worms you might entice them by leaving a trail of them to the bucket and tossing some on the top too.

 

[Musolff2015]

I put a trail of warm peas (also a favorite) in a trail to the water bowl as well as in the water bowl and this is as close as they will get to the water. This is the water bowl they've had since babies and they are nowhere near the electric one. They are eating snow the snow but refuse to touch water! This is day 3 without water. I'm going to try to dip ones beak in and see if that maybe helps. I thought of bringing them inside to bath in the bath however being this cold out I dont think it's a good idea for a dramatic heat change like that...