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[Runner duck mamma]

Hi, we started keeping 4 brown hens which sadly got eaten. We now have a belt and braces outside run for 5 runner ducks and 4 different types of hen.
we reared the duck chicks from one day old in our house. Now almost a year old we put them with large paddling pool and then built a bigger pond in a larger enclosure. Originally they loved the big new pond. Now they will never go in it. Completely baffled .
the only change that I can tell is that it went icy and they maybe skidded on their cute little bums on the surface and didn’t enjoy the experience. The pond is stagnant.
has anyone had any experience of this? The pond and enclosure cost a few thousand. Hoping it wasn’t an expensive mistake!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I have no idea why your birds wouldn't use it. Can you post pictures?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I’ve never kept ducks so unfortunately I cannot assist.

 

[Callender Girl]

My runners don't have a pond, but they are still mighty attracted to their iced-over water tank, happily scooping whatever melting water they can find. They are still bathing in their heated water dish. Ducks' legs are more easily injured than chickens' so maybe you're onto something with the aversion to ice; they are just trying to protect themselves?

 

[DiYMama540]

Pictures would help possibly shed light on why they won't get in, but ducks are so picky. It's possible something happened when they were getting in the bigger pond that scared them. If you remove any of their other bathing options, I'm sure they'll get back in eventually.
Welcome to BYC!

 

[Isaac 0]

Pictures would be nice. My pond is constantly freezing and thawing and some mornings my calls/east indie's fly out on to it (Not realizing it froze over night) and they skid like hockey pucks all the way across.We have different ducks but mine are sure not scared of the ice since it happens about every other week .

Might want to check for snappers that would definitely make them avoid the pond and lack of cover for them to hide from aerial predators could play a big role.

 

[Runner duck mamma]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I have no idea why your birds wouldn't use it. Can you post pictures?

Thanks! I love this site pics coming. It’s strange they used to be in every day and ate and destroyed the plants we put in now they never go in . They are in a tiny gardening bucket .

 

[Building Bridges]

I'm new to BYC and don't know that much about chickens and even less about ducks. But I wanted to welcome you to the best place ever for knowledgeable advice about all things feathered! I'll be interested to see the answers you get. Welcome to the community!

 

[Miss Lydia]

I'm new to BYC and don't know that much about chickens and even less about ducks. But I wanted to welcome you to the best place ever for knowledgeable advice about all things feathered! I'll be interested to see the answers you get. Welcome to the community!

Building Bridges!

 

[Building Bridges]

Building Bridges!

Thank you kindly! Have a great weekend.