Help! How can i get my ducks out of the pond?!

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Today my 13 Fall Ducklings, together with some of my older ducks discovered the pond! I was kind of cute to see them bobbing on the water, diving and dabbling for food, but when it got dark, only the old ducks came back home. Now i have 13 three month old ducks sitting on my pond, refusing to get out and the temperature will drop below the freezing mark tonight! The forecast is predicting -4° (25F), but i am up in the hills and it will be colder here.
Can they survive those temperatures on the water?
How safe are ducks on the water in regards of predators? - I saw a fox on my driveway just three days ago…
I tried everything, talking nicely, handing out cat-food, cursing loudly, yelling - they show me their middle-toe.
Any ideas? It is pitch black at the pond, the walls of the pond are very steep - one of the former owners of the property drowned in there and i am alone, so they just paddle to the other side and laugh at me…

 

[HappyDuckie]

I would keep chasing around the sides to try and get them out. If that doesn’t work, then the way they are avoiding you I think they might be fine against predators. I know it’s terrible, but personally if one of my cockerels won’t go inside at night after me trying for a while, I just leave him out. I make sure to tell him if he gets eaten, it’s his fault. Good luck!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Good grief! Don't risk yourself drowning, trying to save some ducklings! Be careful!

 

[ackie]

I'm sad this has turned stressful because I bet it was cute when it started. Would a pool net, the kind on a long handle, help? I'm not sure if you can safely wield one without risking falling in though.

I don't know anything about ducks but I would think theyd eventually come in when it got too cold, but unfortunately I think that would require you waiting for them to come to shore to warm them up.

 

[ackie]

Honestly I'm crazy and would probably wait at the side of the pond for them

but I also hate the cold, so maybe not

 

[HannahKline14]

I'm sad this has turned stressful because I bet it was cute when it started. Would a pool net, the kind on a long handle, help? I'm not sure if you can safely wield one without risking falling in though.

I don't know anything about ducks but I would think theyd eventually come in when it got too cold, but unfortunately I think that would require you waiting for them to come to shore to warm them up.

They could try a pool net but they should probably wear a life jacket or something if they fall in they should have a safety precaution.

 

[Abriana]

I’ve spent a fair amount of time getting into precarious situations to save chickens (getting onto the coop roof or climbing onto extremely thin branches for example). You don’t have a canoe or kayak? Or know someone that has one? Someone else to help corner them can be a big help too. Keep us posted because I am very interested in seeing what happens! I hope you can get them out!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

My ducks don't like to move out of the water without light. Do you have a large bright spotlight that you can use to help lead them to their duck house? There were times when I'd have to throw out some scratch or something they like in their run, light up the way, and then hide. Once they finally came up, i sneak up and close the door behind them. This was whenever they were going through that phase of thinking i was their enemy, so a bit older than yours. I had more trouble as it got darker. My ducks are super cautious in the dark.

 

[HannahKline14]

Today my 13 Fall Ducklings, together with some of my older ducks discovered the pond! I was kind of cute to see them bobbing on the water, diving and dabbling for food, but when it got dark, only the old ducks came back home. Now i have 13 three month old ducks sitting on my pond, refusing to get out and the temperature will drop below the freezing mark tonight! The forecast is predicting -4° (25F), but i am up in the hills and it will be colder here.
Can they survive those temperatures on the water?
How safe are ducks on the water in regards of predators? - I saw a fox on my driveway just three days ago…
I tried everything, talking nicely, handing out cat-food, cursing loudly, yelling - they show me their middle-toe.
Any ideas? It is pitch black at the pond, the walls of the pond are very steep - one of the former owners of the property drowned in there and i am alone, so they just paddle to the other side and laugh at me…

Ducks have water proof feathers but if it gets below freezing the they could get frostbite on their toes. Are you sure they're able to get out you said the older ones can but maybe the younger ones cant. Idk tho just use your best judgement on the matter it's not worth drowing. I hope they come out

 

[HuffleClaw]

Can you throw something in to make the water splash and scare them out? (Not actually hitting any of them btw, just scaring them out).