Will they float away?

[loofa]

Thus far my ducks have been kept in my fenced in front yard. My unfenced back yard has a creek that separates it from a wooded hillside. If I bring my ducks down to play in the creek will I lose my ducks? Are they likely to stick around or are they likely to float away never to be seen again?

In case it's helpful, they are about 3 months old, khaki campbells

 

[416bigbore]

How well trained are your ducks? My guess is that they would love to play in the creek over your fenced front yard. IMO, If you do not have a good feeding and or treat routine with your ducks, I would be a little hesitant to turn them loose to free range at the creek.

 

[loofa]

They mostly come to "here ducky duck duck duck", especially if I convince them that I have kale or peas in my hands. Right now the creek is low and more sluggish due to summer. In the winter it becomes more like a very small river than a creek. So I'm thinking this is probably the safest time to try, but golly it's a bit worrisome.

 

[Isaac 0]

Mine don't go too far when they go down to the creek, but whether yours will or not is going to be a variable factor.

 

[416bigbore]

Great pic ! That's the 100k question? A first time trip to the creek could turn into a real disaster, hopefully not.

 

[Beaglegal]

Thus far my ducks have been kept in my fenced in front yard. My unfenced back yard has a creek that separates it from a wooded hillside. If I bring my ducks down to play in the creek will I lose my ducks? Are they likely to stick around or are they likely to float away never to be seen again?

In case it's helpful, they are about 3 months old, khaki campbells

I might also be concerned about an increase in predators around the creek. Water bodies can draw them. I don’t live near a creek now but I remember seeing raccoons and coyotes at the creek growing up, even during the day.

 

[loofa]

yes, we definitely have predators who hang out during the day on the other side of the creek so I would not let them play down there without supervision. It feels risky, and at the same time it's hard to have this space that I know they would love so much, and not let them ever experience it.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

you could give them supervised visits then just carry them up in a wagon or something once they are done. that way they all get back at the same time

 

[loofa]

I think we'll try it with a couple of us wading into the creek and standing guard to prevent them from floating downstream too far as that's my main concern. I'll report back.

 

[Beaglegal]

yes, we definitely have predators who hang out during the day on the other side of the creek so I would not let them play down there without supervision. It feels risky, and at the same time it's hard to have this space that I know they would love so much, and not let them ever experience it.

Yeah that’s the key isn’t it? I make the same choice when I let them free range in the back pasture. There is risk from eagle attack, but they enjoy it so much.