Ducks are adorable, and boy do they know it! They quack and waddle their way right into your heart until you will do anything to nurture and protect them. For this reason, it becomes exceedingly frustrating when they refuse to swim in the small body of water located near your home.
Ducks swim, don’t they? Indeed they do. So, if you find yourself asking, “why won’t my ducks go in the water,” there may be several reasons causing this phenomenon.
1. The Pond is Dirty
Would you want to submerge your own body into a dirty, algae-infested pool? Well, as it turns out, neither will wee little duckies.
While ducks feed on algae, water that is overrun with it can be unappealing to swim in. Also, even if the ducks loved the pond before, they may turn their noses up to it later if it becomes murky and dirty. There can be many factors involved, like the fact that they kick up a lot of mud as they swim around.
So, what can you do to keep your ducks healthy and happy enough to enjoy their pond?
Cleaning Your Duck Pond
You may have to clean your duck pond or water body every 5 to 10 years. You can wait for much longer intervals of time if it is larger than the average garden pond.
There are a few ways to clean your duck pond, from a complete drain and clean to simply netting up the debris that may have accumulated.
Other steps you may be able to take include:
- Aerating the pond to increase its oxygen levels and churn the water
- Adding fish, especially if there are aquatic plants in need of pruning
- Avoiding chemicals and use natural cleaning tools, like freshwater scavengers
- Removing dead foliage, twigs, and excessive duckweed growth
If the pond is artificial, you may want to investigate the possibility of using a water filtration system. You could also create a lovely waterfall from the fluid backflow, something both ducks and their human companions will appreciate.
Maintaining the Pond’s Cleanliness
Maintaining a pond that will keep your duckies happy is equally as important as keeping it clean. For artificial ponds, you may want to try:
- Introducing water lilies. This is a beautiful ideal as water lilies also prevent sunlight from reaching the pond’s bottom, which reduces algae growth.
- Routinely draining and refilling the pond. You can do this with either a manual or electric drainage system.
- Using chlorine and surfactants. Try to do this when the ducks are not in the water, as it can cause harm to their digestive systems or even kill them.
For natural ponds, you want to introduce friendly microbes like nitrates and/or aquatic fungi. Nitrates help with the growth of beneficial plants, and fungi balance the pond’s environment.
2. Fear of Water
Yes, ducks are waterfowl, but that doesn’t mean they will adapt immediately to a pond or even enjoy swimming in it. If your duck seems aquaphobic, you may have to find gentle ways to introduce it to a watery environment.
First, establish where the fear stems from. It is a somewhat daunting enterprise as you can’t lean over and ask them what is wrong in “Duckese.” The problem is compounded if the duck used to enjoy the water and now shuns it.
It is beneficial for ducks to swim as it helps ducks preen and remove oil from the uropygial gland to the feathers, which allows ducks to remain waterproof and keep them afloat in deep water. It also helps keep their feet, eyes, and bills clean. It may be difficult to help your feathered friend get over its fear, but it’s worth it in the end.
What May Be Bothering Duckie
Several aspects may alter the duck’s behavior if they once loved the pond and now won’t go near it. Factors that can disrupt a duck’s love of swimming include the following.
- An abrupt change in the aquatic environment includes introducing plants, chemicals, or even tiny fish.
- The overgrowth of plants and algae could make it difficult for them to swim, especially if the pond is small.
- They are moving from a smaller to a larger pond or vice versa. Ducks, like most humans, apparently dislike change.
How to Fix the Problem
Once you isolate and hone in on the issue, you should be able to figure out a way to restore your fine-feathered friend’s faith in the swimming process.
For example, you could look into building an artificial pond, buying a small pool, or relocating the ducks elsewhere.
Other remedies might include:
- Trying to create a similar pond experience after moving your duck from a previous location.
- Reducing the aquatic and algae population. For instance, you can buy plant-eating fish and introduce them to the pond.
- Scattering food on the shoreline of a natural pond or introducing food into the water of an artificial one.
- Creating a waterfall, as ducks enjoy playing and splashing beneath a canopy of water.
Each situation is unique to the pet owner, but a little investigation is bound to turn up what is disturbing your ducks and causing them fear or alarm.
That said, a duck who has never gone into the water and seems reluctant to do so may have a different fear altogether.
Don’t Push the Matter
There could be several reasons for the duck’s hesitancy. A newly transported duck or a duckling may have to get used to their new environment. Forcing the issue may cause more of a problem than it solves.
Believe it or not, even waterfowl like ducks could have underlying psychological reasons for their lack of trust in water. For instance, the duck may not feel safe or experience separation anxiety after removing a previous owner or other ducks.
Allowing the duck time to acclimate to its surroundings and find its way into the water will likely lead to your pet splashing about the pond in no time.
3. Animal Invasion
Sometimes, the main reason a duck may suddenly decide it doesn’t want to swim in a body of water may be due to new animals present. Have fish been added to the pond recently? Is there a new turtle or tortoise in residence? Have other waterfowls taken a liking to the water?
These animals may seem innocuous to you, but a duck may not understand that they present no real danger. This fear may be great enough to deter your duck from venturing in.
How to Fix the Problem
While there are a few solutions to this problem, they aren’t the easiest to accomplish. First, if the pond is on your property, you can have the animals removed. Catching fish and even turtles or tortoises is one thing, but removing other aquatic birds could be tricky.
If the pond is not on your property, or if you can’t (or don’t want to) remove the other animals, then you could always build a new water source for your ducks. This could be as simple as a kiddy pool, with its water changed out each day.
Or, you could choose to build your own pond. It’s a bit of an involved process, but even novices at garden work should be able to do it with the right materials.
Final Thoughts
Ducks are complicated, noisy, quarrelsome, and complicated beasts. Even so, owning one can be extremely rewarding. When your duck behaves contrary to its nature, it is natural to fear something may be wrong.
In any case, a duck not liking water does generally not cause alarm and is easy to remedy. When and if there is a medical condition causing the dilemma, a duck owner could find holistic remedies to get your pet back on its flippers.
If you’ve been asking yourself over and over why won’t my ducks go in the water, remember that slow and steady wins this race. If a problem arises with your duck or duckling exhibiting fear of the water, be patient, and eventually, you will zero in on the issue.