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Can anyone help me get my call ducks back into their pond? For the past 5 days they will not get their feet wet, will drink and dip their heads but avoid by flying over it. Pond is in a protected pen with water filter system.... I tried adding more stones to help them get out, even though they had no problems before. Luring them in with favourite foods and removed the dog bowl with the ponds water in it which they have now adopted it to use to drink from & bath in.
Is this behaviour concerning as I've not found any other people having the same problem. There's no predators evident to my knowledge and they are shut up at night. They don't seem to afraid of anything except the pond.

Hi! Longlocks,this may sound strange but have you tryed buying a rubber duck & puting it in thier pond?also think of what is differant NOW than 5days BEFORE that has changed? go back to basics try takeing out the rocks turn OFF the water system as this may Hum or vibrate. not sure what you want your ducks to do? what you have said in your post is what a duck would normally do. if you want them to "SWIM in the pond the rocks may be in the way.also the size of the pond may be a factor as well?ducks like large areas of water to swim.one thing is forsure something has changed that they don't like.the bobbing of the rubber duck in the pond may help get their conferdance back.yet in general some ducks have personallitys and not ALL ducks act the same.also do you have FISH in the pond? maybe the fish nibble thier feet?this wouldn't hurt them but maybe make them unsettled?

Thank-you so much for your reply! I've tried turing off the pump but not a problem before. I've cleaned out the pond in case the water was different. I've altered the rocks so their exit is even easier even though they didn't have a problem before. I removed some logs placed around the pond in case they didn't like them. Their is nothing in the pond but I have put fish in an other pond which supplies the fresh water to the duck pond as that pond started to get a little dirty with all the duck waste. Thats why I changed they duck pond water and turned off the pump so it they don't get any of that water entering the pond. The ducks loved the pond before with no problems it was just one day I noticed they were perferring to swim in their dirty muddy dog bowl used as a water feeder in their run. The pond is small but large enouth for 4 duck to swim and dive 4ft x3ft. I'll try the fake duck trick or even better borrow a real one! Its just such a shame to see them wanting to go in but so hesitant. Especially when they loved it so much before and they fight over the bowl as its too small for all to fit into. I'm a newbie here so will try and get a photo of pond and ducks for you to see. Thanks again Carol

HI!Carol,the only thing i picked up in your post that is differant is you said they would swim in their dirty muddy dog bowl.this is a wild stab in the dark but i'm wondering if the pond water is SO CLEAN they see their reflection of themselfs in the water and this makes them unsure about diveing in?the dirty dog bowl water wouldn't reflect their image & the dirty water also may have some waste in it for them to peck through.i have a Kelpie(dog) every day i replace her water,YET no, she has to drink from my dirty bird bath. no ryme or season.i think the introduction of another duck would be an interesting move,this way you could see IF the new duck has the same actions as the others? if all else fails you can use the fake duck.the only thing i can't work out is WHY all of a sudden the change in their attitude thats what keeps me wondering. a photo would be a great idea looking forward to seeing it. like you i to am a "NEWBIE"here,so never feel any questions are silly or stupid.thats why we come to forums like this to share & learn about our pets &girls.i think we love them TOOO much & loose sight that they are wild animals with wild life styles.
Kind Regards. Norm

I'm so pleased that the ducks are now back in the pool! For no apparent reason they have decided to take the plunge again! A big woop to no more dust bin lids, plastic bowls, hosing down (though this was fun). Had to declare my happines by posting this. Thanks again to all those who helped by posting to this thread.

So pleased to hear your news - I followed the thread but had no helpful suggestions to make. Any idea what was putting them off swimming, or what made them decide to go back in?

After trying everything from water changing, fake ducks, floating lettuce treats I just continued to introduce baths in alternative containers else where in the garden (which they had no problem with). I constantly moved them around so that they didn't relay to heavily on them. My concern was that they weren't getting their heads wet, which they needed to and they would fly off to look for an alternative water supply. But as long as I kept topping up the containers this seemed to keep them in check (they would try to get to me while I watered the lower garden by flying over the hawthorn).

what a really interesting thing! I too have followed the thread with no ideas but how odd eh! I have 6 call ducks and there are 4 options for bathing available to them in our garden. I love to watch and see which ones they choose and how the group dynamic splits and evolves in relation to who is in which pool, tub, etc! The only thing I do ever notice is that when I change the water they all go beserk! Diving, splashing, chasing etc...

crazy call ducks but what fun :)

I can agree with your last comment! I can spend hours observing them. :-)