Ducks can SWIM?
- Thread starter Isa730
- Start date
FilthyGorilla
Local Legend
It is on all basic water bodies of the farm, so no fishponds/wells/etc.
It happens by chance but is relatively rare, you can obviously make it more commonplace by having the coop with ducks in it by the water body, preferably above it.
Baby ducks can also swin and they look quite cute.
Lenora Rose
Farmer
It was added in 1.5 at frequent request. and it made a lot if people happier even than things like Ginger Island...
it's true, 1.5 really is the duck update
Blurryface21
Tiller
*cries in mobile version*
MissDandy
Farmer
I didn't really know this either because at the time the update came out that allowed this (early 2021? feels like yesterday) I had all my barns and coops and such fenced off. It wasn't until I did a multiplayer with a friend who let her chickens and ducks roam free that I realized how cool it was. I'll just say it now that I wish you could install small ponds on your farm.
Isa730
Rancher
There have to be terraforming mods out there! I should look into it.
Lenora Rose
Farmer
I think so. I have a river instead (Hill top farm) and I'm pretty sure he* has crossed it with the crab pots there. (When I had multiple ducks, I didn't have crab pots in the stretch between my coop and barn, but I got Curry Jr recently because I needed one whole Duck Mayo, and haven't been able to bring myself to sell him again. And watching him swim across is part of it.)
*A green headed mallard SHOULD be male. Don't ask me how he lays eggs...
*A green headed mallard SHOULD be male. Don't ask me how he lays eggs...
Isa730
Rancher
Thanks for the info!! I placed my gate by the pond and have been keeping the gate open. I'll update if I see them swim! :)
Come out guuuuys!
Also, we can pretend they dyed their feathers. xD
Elenna101
Farmer
Maybe if you planted some grass near the pond it would entice them that way? I'm not sure exactly how the animal pathing works but I have noticed that first thing in the morning they usually walk towards grass.
Also, if it doesn't mess with your farm layout too much, you could just remove the fence entirely, or include the pond in the fenced-in area? If they randomly walk in that direction, they're more likely to get past the fence if the gap is larger. Would also make it easier for them to get back at night.
Jayamos
Farmer
I think that does help. My grass was between the pond and the coop and the ducks swam pretty regularly.
MissDandy
Farmer
If only you could install mods on the switch
imnvs
Local Legend
See, animals do something called in video games, pathing. The fewer obstructions between them and something the more likely they are to get there. Having a gate, even if left open, guarantees fewer animals will go in that direction. Having nothing that they want (which is grass when they go outside) near an object similarly makes them less likely to go in that direction.
Isa730
Rancher
Ohh I'll try that!!
nicodeux
Farmer
I agree with Imnvs: ducks usually jump into the water when they are on the tiles next to the water body. Randomly.
This means, they don't decide to go swimming and then follow a path until the closest water. This is a random decision when they are next to water: if the game decides the duck has to move, instead of considering the water as an obstacle, it will make the duck jump into the water (maybe after a roll dice). And this is the same logic for jumping out of the water.
So if you want your duck to swim, you have to maximize their opportunities to be on the bank of the river/pond.
This means, they don't decide to go swimming and then follow a path until the closest water. This is a random decision when they are next to water: if the game decides the duck has to move, instead of considering the water as an obstacle, it will make the duck jump into the water (maybe after a roll dice). And this is the same logic for jumping out of the water.
So if you want your duck to swim, you have to maximize their opportunities to be on the bank of the river/pond.
ced117
Tiller
Interesting... thanks for the info !
