I think I have lazy ducks...

[Katicorn]

Almost 5 weeks old Pekins and Blue Swedish

So I was hoping these ladies would forage in the garden, eat weeds and snails, poop in the garden etc. Nope. They swim in their kiddie pool and nap under the tree. And when they are done with that exhausting routine,they run back to the run/house area. They never venture into the garden beds nor into the weedy area of the yard. If I try to direct them that way, they take off immediately to the run in protest.

Is there anyway to encourage a little more activity out of them because at this point Im thinking they must be collecting unemployment...

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Almost 5 weeks old Pekins and Blue Swedish

So I was hoping these ladies would forage in the garden, eat weeds and snails, poop in the garden etc. Nope. They swim in their kiddie pool and nap under the tree. And when they are done with that exhausting routine,they run back to the run/house area. They never venture into the garden beds nor into the weedy area of the yard. If I try to direct them that way, they take off immediately to the run in protest.

Is there anyway to encourage a little more activity out of them because at this point Im thinking they must be collecting unemployment...

Is the garden/weed area out in the open? At that age everything spooks them mad so they could very well uncomfortable out in the open. Do they have a favorite food like peas? My ducks are obsessed with peas so whenever I introduce them to a new area I toss some peas everywhere, they all go running over and before they know it they are happily eating away in the "scary area".

 

[Katicorn]

Good idea. They love peas, but for some reason cherry tomatoes are like crack to them. Ill give it a try.

The garden area itself is open, but it’s surrounded by large oaks, rose trellis’,and string lights.Perhaps just a tad bit too open for them at this point. But I swear, I go in the garden to weed and they stand around starring at me saying, “That looks nice. Good Go. You missed one over there.”
Hopefully theyll grow into it. I’d love to sit in the chair in the evening, sip wine and watch them do ducks work.

 

[Pollo Blanco]

Almost 5 weeks old Pekins and Blue Swedish

So I was hoping these ladies would forage in the garden, eat weeds and snails, poop in the garden etc. Nope. They swim in their kiddie pool and nap under the tree. And when they are done with that exhausting routine,they run back to the run/house area. They never venture into the garden beds nor into the weedy area of the yard. If I try to direct them that way, they take off immediately to the run in protest.

Is there anyway to encourage a little more activity out of them because at this point Im thinking they must be collecting unemployment...

Let them forage more

My 'third wave' ducks turned their beaks up at dry food once they had forage available.

Remember, a hungry duck is a motivated duck

Once they hit ten weeks, they'll eat EVERYTHING in the garden!

 

[Katicorn]

I moved their pool to the area that’s under the oak canopy. Threw tomatoes, blueberries and mill worms out for them to forage. They ate those, then climbed into the pool for an HOUR. I finally decided to evict them, and they just stared at me. Hoping when theyre older and I start limiting feed I’ll get more enthusiasm out of them for an honest days work. But for now, they’re teenage bums.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

they will get more confident as they get older

 

[Percipen]

My almost 7 week olds are set up in a patch of clover with a little bit of dandelions and they just float in their pool and eat the feed. I think it's a phase. My younger ones all under 4 weeks love foraging when I'm working in the garden, but the oldest is starting to show less interest in foraging and more interest in napping in the garden. I think your little guys will come around eventually