Mallard Babies preferring pool to pond

[mallardbabies124]

Hi y’all. Adopted some Mallard babies in March. Specifically sought Mallards out so they’d have a little more defense. They were raised by the house in a pen, but we moved the pen down about 50 yards next to the pond a couple weeks ago when they were fully feathered. Next to our house is my aunt’s pool (we’re neighbors).
The ducks were never allowed in the pool when they were up here, but now fly from the pond to the pool as soon as we let them out of their pen. It’s causing problems in the family. There’s no turtles in the pond. Some small frogs and fish, but the ducks are so big I didn’t think it either would bother them. I understand they probably prefer the cool water of the pool to the the pond, but it’s not a good idea. We’ve tried the floaty animals trick in the pool. Unfazed. I ordered one of the bird eye balloons to float in the pool, but I don’t know what to do. When they get in the pond, they love it, but they hate being handled (although they like being close to people), so I can’t get them in a lot. I’ve tried sitting down there with them but they fly over me to the pool. I really really really love them and I don’t know what to do because everyone is getting pretty upset at them continuing to get in the pool. I just never anticipated them flying up without any experience in the pool at first.

 

[nchls school]

It is safer for mallards to be able to fly, but in your case maybe removing this ability for a time would help. I do not care to clip a bird as it may take several months before flight is again possible. Plucking the flight feathers on one wing is an alternative; flight feathers will regrow in 3-6 weeks. By then the ducks would be used to the pond.