my ducks have stopped swimming

[the duckqueen 4]

Can you advise me please, my husband bought me 4 indian runner duck, 1 male and 3 female, we have built them a 10 meter by 4 meter run it is fabulous. when the pond was built complete with waterfall, they loved loved loved it. in it all day. then prior to the hot weather and the severe thunder storm we have just had they will not go near it. we have changed the water and tried to entise them in, but nothing. has any one else experienced this please, they are 11 weeks old. thank you.

 

[Orca5094]

Something scary likely happened in/near the pool and that is why they no longer want to go in. Can you toss in some treats that float to encourage them to go in (like greens, clovers, etc)?

 

[the duckqueen 4]

thank you for your very quick reply, we believe it may have been the thunder as they would not even come out of there indoor pen all day we had to coax them, we have tried wheat although that does not float, but also meal worm that does float, but still wont go in, l am gutted as they really loved it, do you think it will be time as they get older thy may go back in? thank you in advance.

 

[Orca5094]

Yes, I think they'll eventually get over it and use the pool again. Just keep on trying to encourage them to go in with treats.

 

[Lugh]

They'll go back in eventually. You could also try picking one of them up and placing it in the pool and standing there with it so as to demonstrate that it's safe, but they are ducks, and ducks will always go back to the water.