Ducks refuse to go back in pond

[citymeetscountry]

Ok so I have searched and read other threads about ducks not going into a pond. From what I can tell most of those were ones that didn’t go in the pond previously. We have 6 8 week old ducks. They had gone in the pond about 4 or 5 times and loved it. Then my husband and I went out of town for 5 days. It rained while we were gone. My FIL was here with the animals and he took care of them (but did not take them up to the pond during that time). We have tried 6+ times since we’ve been back (less than 2 weeks) to get them to go in the pond. They go to the edge and just stop. We’ve tried splashing the water to pique their interest and we’ve tried holding them in and calming them and (probably frowned upon) tried throwing them in. They just freak out. The water level is higher than it was when they were in before (and because of the rain a little murkier). As far as I know we don’t have snapping turtles (over the summer it was very dry and the “pond” was down to a puddle, nor minks, nor any of the other things I’ve read could affect it. I did see a post about maybe an electric current if it’s too close to a post but that would have been the case the other times too, right? For now I’m just going to keep leading them up there and know they have access to a water source even if they don’t want it. But any advice on how to get them to go in it? Ideally we would have had their coop near the pond but I wanted them closer to the house for predator protection at night. Whenever we lead them to their run they go directly into the kiddie pool. Do they just feel more secure being able to touch the bottom?

Picture is from April 8th the first time they were in the pond. They loved it, swimming around, diving under water, dunking their heads.

 

[sourland]

Teen aged ducks frequently go through a timid phase.

 

[citymeetscountry]

Teen aged ducks frequently go through a timid phase.

So just keep giving them access and hopefully they’ll figure it out?

I even had my kids get in an splash around with their rain boots today

I do know the white ones are molting so I wasn’t sure if that would affect it or not

ETA: they’ve been going into the goat pen and drinking out of their water bucket, so they do have access to an alternative water source.

 

[Cynmar60]

Ok so I have searched and read other threads about ducks not going into a pond. From what I can tell most of those were ones that didn’t go in the pond previously. We have 6 8 week old ducks. They had gone in the pond about 4 or 5 times and loved it. Then my husband and I went out of town for 5 days. It rained while we were gone. My FIL was here with the animals and he took care of them (but did not take them up to the pond during that time). We have tried 6+ times since we’ve been back (less than 2 weeks) to get them to go in the pond. They go to the edge and just stop. We’ve tried splashing the water to pique their interest and we’ve tried holding them in and calming them and (probably frowned upon) tried throwing them in. They just freak out. The water level is higher than it was when they were in before (and because of the rain a little murkier). As far as I know we don’t have snapping turtles (over the summer it was very dry and the “pond” was down to a puddle, nor minks, nor any of the other things I’ve read could affect it. I did see a post about maybe an electric current if it’s too close to a post but that would have been the case the other times too, right? For now I’m just going to keep leading them up there and know they have access to a water source even if they don’t want it. But any advice on how to get them to go in it? Ideally we would have had their coop near the pond but I wanted them closer to the house for predator protection at night. Whenever we lead them to their run they go directly into the kiddie pool. Do they just feel more secure being able to touch the bottom?

Picture is from April 8th the first time they were in the pond. They loved it, swimming around, diving under water, dunking their heads.

I live in a development with a community pond. We’ve have a fair amount of ducks and unfortunately a lot of turtles. We’ve lost all baby ducks born thus far (about 24 in total). Another 12 eggs will be hatching in the next week. How can I save them? I can’t catch the turtles. More interested in relocating mama and ducklings. My daughter lives in a community where babies are surviving

 

[Sierra G]

As far as you can see you don't have turtles, but they can travel from pond to pond even when they're miles apart and even if they aren't connected by a stream. If your ducks don't want to go in they shouldn't be forced. They won't suffer if they don't swim. If they don't like the pond maybe you can offer a kiddie pool. In a few weeks after the sediment has settled in the pond you can withdraw the pool and see if they're interested in the pond again.

If there are turtles in the pond they aren't always easy to locate and are never easy to remove. The easiest method to get them out is to build a floating wooden box with a trap door on top. They'll climb on the box to sun themselves and fall into the trap.

 

[SolarDuck]

I live in a development with a community pond. We’ve have a fair amount of ducks and unfortunately a lot of turtles. We’ve lost all baby ducks born thus far (about 24 in total). Another 12 eggs will be hatching in the next week. How can I save them? I can’t catch the turtles. More interested in relocating mama and ducklings. My daughter lives in a community where babies are surviving

Take the mom and the babies and put them in a secure run they will not be safe otherwise.

 

[gatrapper]

I have this problem occasionally. They'll love the pond for months and then randomly hate it. I coax them down with some whole corn. Start by throwing some corn on the bank and along the water's edge. Over time, put some corn in a deeper spot so they'll have to walk out a little and put their face in the water. They should eventually go crazy and hop in the water again.

 

[citymeetscountry]

As far as you can see you don't have turtles, but they can travel from pond to pond even when they're miles apart and even if they aren't connected by a stream. If your ducks don't want to go in they shouldn't be forced. They won't suffer if they don't swim. If they don't like the pond maybe you can offer a kiddie pool. In a few weeks after the sediment has settled in the pond you can withdraw the pool and see if they're interested in the pond again.

If there are turtles in the pond they aren't always easy to locate and are never easy to remove. The easiest method to get them out is to build a floating wooden box with a trap door on top. They'll climb on the box to sun themselves and fall into the trap.

Yes they have a kiddie pool. We actually took the pool down next to the pond to see what would happen. My husband set them in the kiddie pool on the bank and I kid you not they stayed in the kiddie pool (without water) for 2 hours!

ETA: they are fully capable of getting in and out of it so they weren’t trapped

 

[citymeetscountry]

I have this problem occasionally. They'll love the pond for months and then randomly hate it. I coax them down with some whole corn. Start by throwing some corn on the bank and along the water's edge. Over time, put some corn in a deeper spot so they'll have to walk out a little and put their face in the water. They should eventually go crazy and hop in the water again.

They’re slowly getting the idea. A few of them stood in it today and they were drinking. We’ll just keep leading them to it so they know it’s available

 

[Miss Lydia]

If they ever spotted a snapper they will def be wary. You really need to bait for them and get rid of them. I saw someone’s posted a video of a mature duck being attacked by a snapping turtle and dragged under water. (This was on you tube)Wish I’d never seen it. Plus usually we have numerous attacks from members birds. They can do grave damage. Or kill