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Post by thesurisecret on Jun 20, 2007 21:28:37 GMT -5
We have just set our ducklings up with a small kiddie pool for swimming and dabbling. They won't go near it. When we pick them up and put them in, they hop right out and run for the other side of the yard. I thought their favorite snack (torn dandelion greens) would entice them in, but no such luck. What are we doing wrong? Why won't the ducklings go in the water? Maybe they don't like purple? Is the plastic bottom of the pool slippery/scary? I need your suggestions! Thanks, Kate www.thesurisecret.com
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Post by muscovyfan on Jun 21, 2007 8:58:07 GMT -5
I keep a swimming tub for my ducks too. It is smaller than a baby pool (easier to clean) and deeper. They dont spend a lot of time in there but when they do, they swim and splash so hard they empty most of the water out. I think your ducks will get used to the pool and they will love it... it just might have to be their idea. Let me suggest you might throw a few bricks or landscape blocks in there. Believe it or not ducklings can drown fairly easy if they accidently get in there unattended. I had one get into the adult ducks water pail accidently earlier this year and it drowned. It was a mallard/campbell cross. Hope that helps. :-)
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Post by Entekuken on Jun 25, 2007 23:56:12 GMT -5
You might try a smaller container at first. I've not had any birds afraid of pools that I can recall. They might equate that pool with you catching them so they may stay clear fearing they're going to get got.
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Post by thesurisecret on Jun 28, 2007 0:31:04 GMT -5
One of the ducks did get brave enough to try it out. The others just dipped their bills in and stared at her. I'm sure they were thinking she was nuts. I caught them all and put them into the pool yesterday when it was about 95 degrees. Poor little things were so hot...panting and all. The pool was freshlly filled with cold water. They stayed in for about five minutes! I guess they figured it was better than being hot. They pretty much stay away from it, though. I thought they'd be thrilled. No such luck. Well...at least they know it's there and it isn't so bad. Smiles, Kate www.thesurisecret.com
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