Summary
- Change coop placement and use grass to ensure ducks go for a swim.
- Unpetted ducks won't swim; use Auto-Petter.
- Detail adds charm, ducks swimming makes players happy.
A Stardew Valley player has shared a technique that guarantees that ducks will go for a swim. This method should be a big help to anyone who has wanted to see their ducks on the water in Stardew Valley.
In Stardew Valley 1.5's update, one of the features added to the game was the ability for ducks to swim. When near a body of water, a duck can potentially hop into it and drift along the surface, as one might see in real life. However, many players have lamented never seeing this particular interaction, as it's ultimately up to the duck's programming to decide where it wants to go and whether it wants to jump into the water. However, with this method, ducks will definitely swim.
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Reddit user oldeluke shared a post demonstrating the technique that makes ducks swim. In a brief video, they show that they've moved their chicken coop as close to a body of water on their farm as possible. This is easiest to accomplish on the Riverland Farm in Stardew. The farm's placement blocks off one potential exit on the right, with a fence and gate blocking off the remainder of the farm on the left side of the chicken coop. On the other side of the water, a strip of land is visible with a plot of grass growing on it. As a result of this layout, when the ducks leave their coop, they have nowhere they can go except to hop into the water. Adding the grass, which ducks can eat, adds incentive for them to swim over there.
Stardew Valley Players Delight in Duck Swimming
Numerous fans have been excited to try this technique out for themselves, while many expressed surprise at seeing ducks swim. It seems that many players still haven't seen a duck hit the water for themselves. There is one caveat to this technique, as fellow fans indicated, as unpetted ducks will not swim. However, all a player needs to do is spend a moment clicking on each duck when they start their day, and that should be enough. Alternatively, an 
Auto-Petter can resolve this problem, but they're a difficult item to get in Stardew Valley. Ducklings should also behave the same way as adult ducks in this scenario, if players want to see the tiny birds floating on the water.
Developer ConcernedApe's game has plenty of little-known details that even those who have spent hundreds of hours in Stardew Valley don't know about. While some prefer to find these things on their own, the community is also happy to celebrate these little details and share tips on how others can access them. While encouraging ducks to swim has no impact on their overall happiness or behavior, it's an adorable addition that many delight in seeing. For those who haven't been lucky enough to see their ducks swim, speaking to Robin and moving the chicken coop to achieve the setup demonstrated by oldeluke should resolve that problem.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- February 26, 2016
- ESRB
- E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
- Cross Save
- cross-progression is only available between the PC and mobile versions of the game
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Simulation
- How Long To Beat
- 53 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- No
- File Size Xbox Series
- 1 GB (November 2023)
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-4 Players
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
