really hot ducks not drinking or swimming

[cr@zy(hickenl@dy?]

Im having a situation here and im not sure if its the heat or the sudden changes to my duck enclosure or a mixture of both thats doing this.
My ducks are around 3 months old all feathered and look full grown. They are in a pretty big enxlosure protected from predators with a house (that they have chosen not to use at all the past month'ish). This past week we finally dug the ducks their pond (approx10x8 ft sloping to 2 ft deep in center). Up until now they have been using a small kiddy pool which we had incerted into a hole to make it ground level. They loved their pool and played in it almost constantly. We moved the pool to the other side of the enclosure so they would stay to that side and not be overly bothered by the diggong process. They were still using their pool. when the pond was finished i assumed they would be in it ass it was filling since they loved the water so much but its like they are terrified of it. They are staying at the side off the enclosure away from the pond and were still using the pool. last evening we moved the pool closer to the pond thinking they are not seeing the pond or they are skidish about it. We dumped it filled with fresh water after it was moved. 2 hrs later they hadnt been in the pool and it looked as though they hadnt even drank from it as it was crystal clear. This worried us as the temprature with humidex was 45°C or higher yesterday (113 F). They now have 3 sources of water a huge pond a small pool and a automatic cup type waterer and I'm not seing evidance of any use of either. This morning when I went out to my birds it was already over 30°C (86 F) and I still see no sign of water being consumed and i had a dead peaking. It was in the area they have been sticking to since the pond being dug but the 6 other ducks were on the other side of the enclosure huddled together in the shade.
I fed them some frozen peas (a favorite) and tossed some into the pool. They werent as happy as they usually are with the peas and 2 hrs later they still havent eaten to ones from the pool.
Do anyone know whats going on or have any suggestions?

 

[happy duck]

My ducks have just moved into there run and have been a little on edge. Change can have to do with it. Domestic ducks have to be introduced so putting a new pool in can be a little scary. I would introduce it to them slowly. Do not force them, just continue to put favorite treats into the pool. If it gets to hot I would give them there old kiddie pool(you can put it above ground so you don't have to dig another pool). I would just continue to throw threats. When they start to fish the treats out of the new pool/start getting used to it, then take out there old pool. If you follow steps like this they will get used to it. Are they drinking? You can toss some treats in there drinking bowl so they are interested in drinking. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Changes in their area can affect how they behave. I put a tarp up for shade and they will not venture near it or near anything that they think is near the tarp. This morning, they wouldn't come out of their duck house and I had to shoo them out.
I keep multiple containers filled with water though, so hopefully they are drinking (actually I saw then doing so this morning).
Sorry for your loss. I will not add anything more to my ducks run while it is so hot. I didn't realize they would not drink if they are too scared.

 

[Jpat]

Thays weird. Its hott here since friday and my ducks sleep with their heads on the edge of the pool and wake up to sip then sleep again

I throw them right in the pool. Like my dad threw me in the lake when i was a kid haha. Theyll be mad at me for a while but their okay

 

[Miss Lydia]

Very sorry for your loss.