my ducklings won't go in the kiddie pool

[O1CrazyLady]

Hey,
Been raising chickens for about a year now and loving it.
Started off with 5 baby chicks (3 Rhode island red and two black sex links), then our son gave us 8 Americana.
About a two months ago got 11 more baby chicks, (3 Turkins, 2 black australorp, 2 golden sexlinks,1 blue wyandotte, 1 penedesenca, 1 blue australorp, 1 wyandotte. They are so adorable and have so much character.

Then about a month ago we got 10 pekin ducklings. This has been a little of a challenge as we raise them in the house. Man do they stink......

We have moved them all outside in protective housing. we built a very small pond for the ducklings till we can get the big one built. They love , love, love this pond. Well decided to get a kiddie pool. Easier to clean. But the ducklings won't go in it. If I place them in it they immediately swim to the side and jump out. We even built a ramp for them to walk on.

Why won't they go in the kiddie pool?????

 

[Melky]

Welcome to BYC!
I guess it just goes to show not all ducks like water. My guess is eventually they will go in on own when they want to.​

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!

My guess is since they weren’t taught by their mama, they will learn on their own time. Good luck!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Ducks like all fowl dislike/are afraid of change. This is typical of most prey animals. It will take them time to adapt to and like the pool. With a mother to give them confidence they would jump right in.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[yickenscarf23]

My ducks HATED their pool and did not understand ramps. We built up gravel on the sides of it and that fixed the problem. We used smooth round gravel so it was easy on their feet.

 

[MallardMomx2]

They’ll eventually learn to love it. Try throwing some treats in the water for them..my ducks especially love peas

 

[Jbently28]

In my experience, I'd I have ducklings that are unsure about a new situation it helps if they experience it all together. When they're young they don't want to be seperated so it always helps if you have a few extra hands available. Usually if you can get them all in it together at the same time than they'll stay in it instead of worrying about getting back together with their siblings. I always start mine off in a small cat litter pan. That way if one jumps out it's still very close by and the others aren't as anxious to jump out. They eventually get more comfortable the older they get, but for the first month they might as well be conjoined at the hip.

 

[DuckyDonna]

My ducks HATED their pool and did not understand ramps. We built up gravel on the sides of it and that fixed the problem. We used smooth round gravel so it was easy on their feet.

You could pile up hay or straw around the sides and they'll use it eventually (whatever you're using in the pen). I did this for my babies last year when they wouldn't go up the ramp and it worked great

 

[Sundevill11]

They’ll eventually learn to love it. Try throwing some treats in the water for them..my ducks especially love peas

That's all you'll need to do.