do runner ducks swim?

[egggarden]

Hi folks,
I've had a small flock of chickens for a year and a half. But now, I keep looking at those adorable runner ducks........... Do they need a pond to swim in? They don't really look like they are designed to swim........

 

[dixiechick]

ohh, this is a good question. I always wondered!

 

[Wifezilla]

They don't NEED a pond, but they love water and swim just fine. My runner likes to float in this big shallow storage container I fill with water for my flock. It's one of those containers designed to fit under your bed. It works great as a temporary pond.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

Yes they swim, but you dont need a pond, you can also use kiddie pools and such things like that.

 

[nettie]

they LOVE to swim! At least mine do:

a kiddie pool should do them good... When they swim they look exactly like other duck shapes... So their body shape has nothing to do with it.

 

[moduckman]

I had some and used a kiddie pool.

 

[Catalina]

nettie- Is that a pond in your 2nd pic?

 

[nettie]

lol, not a pond... We brought our ducks back to chicago with us over our xmas vacation. It snowed a ton, iced up, then rained and everything melted. When it melted it flooded all over, including my father's backyard, lol.... My ducks had a field day out in the huge puddle. At home they take bathes in the tub and occasionally in their kiddie pool (my ducks are spoiled and spend most of their time inside on my sun room and prefer the tub). lol

 

[henjoy]

My 6 runner ducks LOVE to swim. I don't have a pond, but like others use a kiddie pool. It took them a couple of days to figure out how to get into the pool while I waited and wondered, but figure it out they did. If you use a kiddie pool, you'll have to change the water every couple of days so keep that in mind if you decide to use a pool. Those bigger ones are heavy to empty. They don't need a pool or pond but they sure have fun if they have water to play in.

 

[Wifezilla]

Seeing how much fun my ducks have in their little temp "pond", I would feel like a total grinch if I didn't give them water to play in. They love it so much and it is really fun to watch them.