Our Runner Ducks won't swim!?!

[White Elk]

Our Idian Runner Ducks seem to fear the water. They fall in from time to time and are out in nano-seconds! They seem intrigued by it and sometimes get very excited at pond side. The female will start running around in circles and they both love splashing their beaks in it. And I add Lettuce and Duck Weed from time to time which they just love! But they'll just sit poolside and wait for it to float to them. It's like their insticts tell them it's a good thing, but something is holding them back. We've got a 100 gallon pre-formed pond on it's way. I hope it isn't wasted on ducks with aquaphobia. Has anyone else experianced this with their Runner's?

The pond is bigger in relation to the Ducks than appears in the photo.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Guess there was a reason the breed isn't called Swimmers instead of Runners.

Honestly I don't know why they won't swim. Maybe it is a breed thing?

-Kim

 

[olp_63]

My little sister's runner was the same way, kind of, but once she was introduced to my adult Pekin duck (who loves water

) the runner would follow her ANYWHERE! Even into our pool...

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Sounds like a good opportunity to get a new ducky!

-Kim

 

[Dodgegal79]

I have found Runners to be the most freaky of all of the breeds. I have mine with khaki campbells and muscovys and they are always following, not leading. It may take them some time to realize is ok.

 

[White Elk]

When the big pond comes I may have to get in it and splash around perhaps?

They do seem a bit insecure in general. Today I opened up that day pen so they could run around the backyard which I just fenced in. They didn't want to go out. So I lured them out with a trail of garden fresh lettuce but after eating it they went back in. Today wasn't a good day for it though since people have been lighting off fireworks all day. Tommarow I'll take them out a first light and set them just outside the pen and see what they do.

Hehe they like traveling and checking things out while I transport them from the predator proof night pen to their day pen.
I might put them in the kids wagon and take them for a ride around the property lol.