Frustrated!!!!! Ducks won't go into pond

[Sue S]

Hi Everybody, I need some advice, I have read many posts about people having issues with their ducks not wanting to go into their ponds, has anyone found a solution to the problem???? I have 4 mallards that are 3 months old today, they refuse to go into our pond. When they were younger I would take them down to the pond & they would go into it & play but now that their older & outside in their pen they refuse to go into the pond when I let them out during the day. I thought we had a snapping turtle but I have been setting traps for the last couple of weeks & have got nothing, the only things we have in the pond are fish & bull frogs, my husband says i'm spoiling them by having a kiddie pool in their pen that's why they won't go into the pond. I've even got into the pond hoping they would follow me but they just stand on the side & watch me. Any advice, their ducks & we have a nice pond I feel bad that they don't enjoy it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Take the kiddy pool away and see what happens. They are leery of new things and being young that pond is scary.

 

[Sue S]

That's what my husband said to do but I feel bad if the only water they would have for a couple days is their drinking water

 

[MinniesMomma]

That's what my husband said to do but I feel bad if the only water they would have for a couple days is their drinking water

Taking the pond away is the only way to find out. My duck will not go near the lake, but he loves his kiddie pool

 

[Sue S]

I might try taking the kiddie pool away from them for a couple days, if it works that would be great but then I have to listen to my husband say " told you so "!!!!!

 

[MinniesMomma]

I might try taking the kiddie pool away from them for a couple days, if it works that would be great but then I have to listen to my husband say " told you so "!!!!!

In that case, it may not be worth it

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh well let him be right once.

 

[CayugaJana]

I might try taking the kiddie pool away from them for a couple days, if it works that would be great but then I have to listen to my husband say " told you so "!!!!!

Oh come on, they need to be right every now and again.

I stayed at a pond behind our house and threw them in until they realized they weren’t going to die. They stayed in the shallow end and ate moss for awhile. Then went crazy when they realized it was fun to zoom around.

 

[Sue S]

I have tried putting them in the pond, I would get one at a time & hold them in the pond for a few minutes then gently toss them to the middle of the pond & they would freak out & fly back out of the pond. My husband says their just odd ducks & very spoiled!!!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

See he is right again so that is 2X now.