Do ducks need fresh water if they live near a pond?

[DucksQuackMeUp]

I know. Probably a ridiculous question. The pond is fresh water. Do I need to provide additional water? I figured out the housing issue by reviewing posts. Seems my ducks may never use that house.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes. They also need a secure place to be or they won't last long in a pond.

 

[ruthhope]

I know. Probably a ridiculous question. The pond is fresh water. Do I need to provide additional water? I figured out the housing issue by reviewing posts. Seems my ducks may never use that house.

I don't think you have figured out the housing issues when you say you cannot entice the ducks into your house. Ducks need to be securely housed from dusk to dawn or it will only be time before they are taken by predators.

I suggest that you acclimate them to the duck house. I don't know what it is like nor how big. Mine is 5' x 10' and when I get an additional to the flock, the new one(s) sleep(s) separately from the flock in the duck house; then during the day, when the others are out free ranging, the new duck(s) have access to the full duck house and can see the others through the door and adjacent panel.

If your duck house is unsuitable for keeping the ducks in during the day, I suggest you build a temporary pen round the duck house, and restrict the ducks to the pen. Put food and water near the door and give them a child's wading pool for swim time. Ducks need at least 2 weeks restricted to the duck house or close to the duck house, associating the duck house with food and water and nighttime safety, before they are allowed to roam further.

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

Yes. They also need a secure place to be or they won't last long in a pond.

Hmmm, Well they rest next to the house. Not ideal, I know. Okay, fresh water even though surrounded by ponds. Got it. Not sure how to entice them into that house. What else do they like to eat? Any special treats? Obviously new to ducks. Had them in a horse stall as they outgrew the tub. Now that they are free they prefer not to go in that brand new condo.

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

I don't think you have figured out the housing issues when you say you cannot entice the ducks into your house. Ducks need to be securely housef from dusk to dawn or it will only be time before they are taken by predators.

I suggest that you acclimating them to the duck house. I dint know what it is like nor how big. Mine is 5' x 10' and when I get an additional to the flock, the new one seems separately from the flock in the duck house , then during the day, when the others are out free ranging, the new duck(s) have access to the full duck house ND cab see the others through the door and adjacent panel.

If your duck house is unsuitable for keeping the ducks in during the day, I suggest you build a temporary penned round the duck house, and restrict the ducks to the pen. Put food and water near the door and give them a child's wading pool for swim time. Ducks need at least 2 weeks restricted to the duck house or close to the duck house, associating the duck house with food and water and night time safety, before they are allowed to roam further.

Oh boy. I have totally messed this up. And I spent so much labor and love the first six weeks. Okay great recommendations. Thank you for your responses!!

 

[MS_pond]

I have a backyard pond and am still able to get ducks to their secure duck house every night. My trick? A cheap remote-control motorboat. I rarely need to use it nowadays but when they don't feel like leaving the pond to go to bed, pop that sucker out and chase ducks.

(To be clear I haven't seen your other thread so I assumed your ducks are being stubborn about leaving the pond, perhaps I'm projecting because I've faced that issue plenty. If that's not what this is about, sorry--ignore me! But if it is--yea, RC boat, try it.)

 

[DucksQuackMeUp]

I have a backyard pond and am still able to get ducks to their secure duck house every night. My trick? A cheap remote-control motorboat. I rarely need to use it nowadays but when they don't feel like leaving the pond to go to bed, pop that sucker out and chase ducks.

(To be clear I haven't seen your other thread so I assumed your ducks are being stubborn about leaving the pond, perhaps I'm projecting because I've faced that issue plenty. If that's not what this is about, sorry--ignore me! But if it is--yea, RC boat, try it.)

Love the idea.

 

[Windwalker79]

Right now, I’ve got the ducks ranging during the day in a secure enclosure alongside my goose, rooster, and chickens. It’s a mixed flock, but it works well because everyone has separate spaces at night:

• Main Coop for the chickens
• Duck House for the ducks
• Welcome Coop for new additions and quarantine

During the day, they all hang out and forage together, but at night, they each have their own designated area. I’ve started working with the ducks specifically to train them into using their house at dusk — and you’re 100% right: routine is everything.

Every evening, I physically guide or place them into the duck house, and they’re slowly starting to go in on their own. But if I slack even once, they’ll camp out in the corner of the run like nothing was ever learned

So consistency is key — and a little patience, too.

I’ve also noticed that once one or two ducks figure it out, the rest tend to follow. They’re stubborn, but not hopeless!

I’ll try to get some photos of the setup soon — always open to tips on improving the layout, too.

Tom - Chief Mother Flucker & Director of Farm Operations
Mother Flucker Farms
(Where bedtime routines are enforced... or at least attempted nightly )

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They’re stubborn, but not hopeless!

Stubborn? Or just ... creatures of habit? I think they just prefer to live by their own routines, not necessarily by what WE want them to do ... because we may perceive threats that they don't discern.

 

[Duck Breeder]

I keep the small ice fishing sleds in my duck runs and change the water every night. They hold a lot of water and the swim in them We put pond heaters in the sleds this winter instead of the heated waterer they worked out really well. We let them free range when we are home and can watch them. We use DuMor layer crumbles and supplement with bird seed that has sunflower seeds cracked corn and red and white mullet they also get to graze on the lawn. And we have a larger pond in the lawn. We have their diet dialed in they raise 2 sets of ducklings every year fresh water and a great diet is the key.