Should I Let My Ducks Swim In Large Creek?

[waynec1955]

I'm new to ducks, I have 4 that I think are Pekins. They are possible 6 weeks old. Just started getting feathers. I have them in a small pin with a wading pool. We have a large creek in our back yard. When we get alot of rain it moves pretty fast. I see wild ducks in it often, just not sure if I should keep ours out if possible. These photo show the creek after a good rain.

 

[carcar80]

Uhmm depends on what lives in there and how fast it's moving!! Looks swift to me.

 

[cosbackyard]

I think if I let my ducks loose in something like that they'd never come back.

 

[jonhpdx]

As someone who raises ducks, don't put them in a river/stream with a current like that. You're asking for them to get swept downstream and you may never see them again. In the summer when it gets nice and low, maybe then, MAYBE.

As someone who hunts ducks, the wild ducks you see there probably are able to find some backwater pools that they'll be able to comfortably sit in without being swept away. I've never seen a wild duck sit out in the middle of a fast-moving river/stream like the one in your pictures, they always go in the pools closer to shore that offer them a little more protection from the current. How I know this is that when I hunt ducks, the best way to jump shoot on a river is to find those backwaters and sneak up on them from multiple angles, hopefully flushing the birds towards someone. The water tends to be a little more shallow and it's the little eddies that form off the main channel that really attract waterfowl like ducks.

 

[ducksinarow]

Where I live we would call that a river.

 

[waynec1955]

Thanks for all the responses. In the summer months the creek is about 2 feet lower and much slower. The wild ducks that hang out here do so when it is slower. These pics were after a good rain. I think they will do ok in low levels, my concern is that they may enter it when it is fast and get swept away. I guess I'm wondering if our ducks will be smart enough not to enter it when its up, or do I need to find someway to keep them out.

 

[Carcajou]

You also want to be aware of what predators might live in that river. Snapping turtles, mink, and otter all like duck dinner. Racoons, eagles, hawks, and osprey also hang around rivers and duck is on their menu as well.

 

[jonhpdx]

Personally, I would never risk my ducks' well-being by putting them in a natural water source like a public lake or stream/creek/river. But maybe that's just me, I'm over-protective of the little ones, they can't help but be drawn to water!

 

[carcar80]

I'm with ducksinarow! Even two foot lower, I call that a river lol. If there hadn't already been ducks here when moved in, I would agree with Jon even on my private water. But it was my introduction to ducks and it's just all I know with them. I knew the previous owners had fairly great luck. Otherwise I'm sure I wouldn't be so comfy. :shrug

 

[waynec1955]

Yes, this water way is wider than some rivers, it is however a creek. It is my understanding that this creek is 1 mile short of a river. Sorry, that is a little off topic. It seems that all responses agree that they should not be allowed in the water. My next question would be,how far from the water should I move their pin to discourage them from going to the creek? In general, how far will they travel around my yard?