3mo old ducks won’t swim in big pond

[Mmontague987]

I have raised black Swedish ducks (3 of them) since a day old. They used a kiddie pool to swim until they were old enough to live outside in permanent duck coop by our 3acre pond. They are locked up in predator safe coop at night and they free range during day. Since they moved out there I cannot get them to swim in it. I’ve tried treats and gently tossing them in the water for them only to panic and come right back. We’ve had a coyote take one recently and I’m worried that he will come back for more; with the pond being their safest spot during free ranging. Any ideas on how to encourage them to start swimming in pond?! Should I buy some older ducks familiar with ponds?

Thank you!
Maddie

 

[sbolerjack]

My first ducks were the same way. Then one day they changed their minds and now they only come off of the pond to eat. They free range 24/7. Getting older ducks that are familiar with ponds would definitely be helpful.

 

[Jenbirdee]

I have raised black Swedish ducks (3 of them) since a day old. They used a kiddie pool to swim until they were old enough to live outside in permanent duck coop by our 3acre pond. They are locked up in predator safe coop at night and they free range during day. Since they moved out there I cannot get them to swim in it. I’ve tried treats and gently tossing them in the water for them only to panic and come right back. We’ve had a coyote take one recently and I’m worried that he will come back for more; with the pond being their safest spot during free ranging. Any ideas on how to encourage them to start swimming in pond?! Should I buy some older ducks familiar with ponds?

Thank you!
Maddie

hi Maddie i’d love to
see a picture of your ducks I agree older ducks would probably help but you have to go through the integration process and separate them initially until you’re sure they don’t have any diseases and let them all get used to seeing each other through a fence before they’re together. They are still pretty young give it time I think they’ll go in. Are you sure there’s no snapping turtles or anything else Dangerous in there they might be afraid of going in because of?

 

[Mmontague987]

There are snapping turtles which we have been trapping and removing. We’ve done this to about 6 of them in last 4 months or so…so do you think with snapping turtles I’ll never rid the problem? Any suggestions?!

 

[Sondraa]

The ducks intuitively know its not safe for them. How big does a duck have to be to not be at risk of death or injury to a snapping turtle?

 

[Luv Ducks]

The ducks intuitively know its not safe for them. How big does a duck have to be to not be at risk of death or injury to a snapping turtle?

Ducks can be huge and a snapping turtle can bite their feet off or pull them under and kill them. My boss that I had gave me his two Rouen Ducks because they needed to get rid of them years ago. They had a beautiful pond and that his ducks would never go in. His wife would even get on her bathing suit and take them all out to the middle of it just to have them scamper back to shore. I am glad they don't like ponds since I don't have one. They love their big containers of water that they wash off in though. Funny ducks! lol

 

[Sondraa]

How do they know there are snapping turtles in there? It's amazing really. My duckling go at any little worm or insect but cringed away from a leech. I looked it up and sure enough leeches can get in adult ducks' nares and cause all kinds of problems.