Forgot to add, we are turning over our laying flock this year with all new chicks arriving in Feb. Would like to get the ducklings by March/April so they all grow up acclimated to each other. The ducks will have a separate duck-house. Thinking of getting four runners - a drake and three ducks and a pair of Orps - or will that cause squabbles and/or interbreeding? Thanks again!

Our 2 Khaki Campbells need their daily bath and the water needs to be changed at least once a week. You may want to rethink the work that will be involved when you go with the kiddie pool. We bought a black cement mixing plastic bin from Home Depot. It's a little smaller than a kiddie pool but just right for two ducks. They need a little stool to get in and a big rock inside to help them jump out. If they can't get in and out of the water easily they can get injured rather quickly. The pool is heavy to dump but I put it under a fruit tree and it's free fertilizer. Grows great cherries. The work is a small price to pay for how happy the ducks are. They are in there winter and summer, rain, snow, sleet, hail. They love it.

Is it because the water tastes funny? After the kids were in it.. (lotions, soaps, etc) or do you think they are just frightened? If its the first you can change some of the water if its the 2nd they will go back in after they realize that its quiet and ok to go back in.

It may be too late, if they were abandoned. I'd let nature take its course. Muscovies are non-native anyway, and considered a nuisance in some areas.