My ducks avoid water

[Rosebud28]

Hi I currently have 5 ducks. I observe them daily and 2 of my ducks are very unusual. They don't like water.
My eldest girl hatched them last August. They were born very late in the year so they didn't go outside much. No matter how much she tried neither of them would go into the pond. They would sit on the side and just cheep for her. The were a nuisance for her.
I am just concerned that there may be something wrong with then as they never have went into the pond. I have never observed this in any other ducks in all my years.

 

[Melky]

Welcome to BYC!
I can’t help with the problem. I’m sure someone else will step in on the question. Most ducks in my experience love water. Do you have a pond or baby pool with water in the area?​

 

[PaulX]

Are you able to throw them in? (never tried it myself, I hate scaring my ducks, but I tried the method below)

It's probably because they never used the pond before, and they're past the age they'd be ready to try new things.

When I introduced my ducks to a new water tub for swimming, it took me a few days to get them to approach it. I tried sitting next to the tub, calling them, showing them there's water, splashing water at them, putting their food bowl closer and closer to the tub each time, and then their drinking water bowl too. Took them a few days to get close enough and then to dip their bills in it, then another 2 days to actually get in.

 

[Texag87]

We introduced a new pool this week after months of shallow trays. It took a mealworm bribe to get the fat Pekin in and soon after everyone followed.

 

[Helloworld]

Nothing wrong with them except you need to throw them in the pool, pond, whatever and then they will realize its ok. I have some reason that are leary of water they cant see in and thats mainly because of turtles. Our babies are put in a pool as soon as they are feathered.