Fast forward a couple months and mama duck has 14 new babies. We have ducks that roam our neighborhood because it is close to a local park that has some big ponds. If you try this let me know if it works! To achieve a waterfall feature, create two mountains by moving soil over the large pond. Now that the pond has been in a while, is there anything you would do different? Because they are typically bottom feeders, these fish will consume duck manure and help filter the water. ), 1 Hard plastic pond liner (I used a 30 gallon one, which worked just fine for 3 ducks, but you can go as big as you want) I bought mine at Lowes, 1 Plastic 1-1/2 inch diameter shut-off valve (this will be your drain valve), 1 Coupling (1-1/2 inch diameter) with threaded male end (drain), 1 Coupling ( 1-1/2 inch diameter) with threaded female end (drain), 1 PVC pipe (1-1/2 inch diameter) the length depends on how far away you want your dirty drain water to be carried away from the pond (I used a 4 foot piece). To achieve a waterfall feature, create two mountains by moving soil over the large pond. Copyright 2023 Thank Chickens |As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Very insightful.. Have you tried entering your email (when prompted) to unlock the duck pond page? The overflow was put at the edge of the pond shown at the top of the second picture. I love watching my ducks do all the things they do in their pond. Ponds tightly enclosed by tall trees tend to attract wood ducks and hooded mergansers. They seem to love it here, Im sure it doesnt hurt that I feed them peas, green beans, corn, & unmedicated chicken feed every morning. Now, add some silicone around the drain to seal from leaking. Is this only good for mild climates? A wooden bridge connects the duck coop with the green land next to the pond. The pool has been in used for a while now, and they love it. Chickens like to roost at night, so they will need places to perch off the ground. Click for more details. Besides pooping in their water, ducks also backwash mud and plant parts into it. Add about 1/4 cup of vinegar to the second tub. Thanks again for the great post. The options are limitless. Set the two containers in a place and fill them with water. Our Mama Duck is obsessed with water TO AN EXTREME! Plastic 1-1/2 inch diameter shut-off valve, 3. DIY Duck POND Drain. I have to clean my tubs every day. You Can Never Go Wrong With An Aquatic Look, 13. If you do not have your lake, do not worry because the backyard duck pond will work well. To make a long story short, I ended up digging up and redoing my whole pond and this time putting in a drain that led to a lower part of the yard. The filter you chose has to process the entire volume of the pond water in 8 hours. Glad you like it Jillian! In particular, excessive numbers of ducks can speed bank erosion, as they use their bills to dig in the soft areas around the pond in search of food. (Under $20) 4,842 views Jun 18, 2019 64 Dislike Share Texas Poultry 58 subscribers In order to create a cleaner and more efficient duck pond. Good question! It introduces nature to your property in both an organic and appealing manner. I finally figured out a way to install a simple drain using the standpipe idea sometimes used for ponds. The size does not have to be large, like this one. I will also be making a bio filter to use along with the pump and using uv light. This pond naturally forms on the lower grounds allowing water to flow freely from the higher grounds. All I did was attach a simple backwash hose to the drain. You will have to come back and post a picture of your duck pond when you are finished with it! What types of ponds are there? A reality warp RP. First we excavated a 8' diameter hole 2 1/2 feet deep with a shallow area 1 foot wide on one side. A perfect location for a twins waterfall pond is under trees. You can sit under the shade when chilling out with family and friends as you watch the ducks play. Good luck with your project! What do you put on a chicken coop concrete floor? Here Are Some Considerations, 8 Best Bathtubs For Tall People (and Buying Guide). Place a few ornaments on the edge will complete the pond. A freestanding tub has a quite big size that can fit for several ducks. Ducks Must Be Trained to Come Home at Night. Try connecting their house to the pond using bamboo sticks by creating a sloping bamboo walk. My ducks are now happy campers and swim in clean water every day! I changed the location of the drain hole in the bottom of my pond and also the location of my drain shut-off valve. This includes disinfecting and cleaning any feeders, waterers, and all surfaces of the duck house. Then it would be better to have a pond which allows you to adjust the volume of the water. They produce a lot of waste, and they splash around and dunk their food-filled beaks into the water and generally make a big mess. These systems come with their direction on installation. This is a high nutrient feed with a protein level of around 18-20%. Then its time to start digging. To cover the pond liner, add plenty of stone rivers. Release or turn on the nozzle end, and water should rush out freely. You need to have pieces of boards, furring strips, pond liner, and raised bed brackets to put this together. When the faucet is turned on, the water runs up through the PVC pipe and shoots out into the pond. Its important to provide your ducks with shelter from the rain, just in case they get cold or want a break, but most ducks will be extremely content playing outside in nasty weather. I will definitely be using your idea to upgrade their pond which is currently a dollar general swimming pool. If you make sure to keep your ducks fed and watered throughout the day then they will be perfectly fine. before finding this post I was planning my own very similar with a 40 gallon farm bucket. It is also because youll need space for a small kiddie pool as well. Chickens and ducks can be housed together in the same coop or you can try to keep them separate. Besides portable, this kind of pond is low maintenance. I have 10 adult ducks and 15 babies in the bathtub! If you dont want to get down and dirty, then a bathtub could be the perfect duck pond design for you. Add a ramp so they can climb to the pond. It can also be called a recirculating duck pond. It doesnt matter if the pond is a little rusty or dilapidated as long as it holds water well and youre satisfied with its appearance. Im sure 1 day they will leave but I enjoy watching them. If it takes longer, then it is inefficient. You can complete this rustic look by pouring dark pebbles into the entire pond area. We just pop it in when we need it. The cost for individual ducklings ranges from about $5-$10 each, depending on the breed. To prevent this from happening in a duck pond, make sure that the pond is properly aerated. Cheers This also goes for most other duck species. Most aerators act as water fountains, pumping water out into the air under pressure so that the droplets fall back down with more oxygen. Great how the drainage is hidden. Do ducks need water overnight? Set the two containers in a place and fill them with water. How do you handle the large volume of Mud the ducks bring into a water source. The easiest and most affordable way to clean a duck swimming pool is by using one that has a drain in the first place. The only thing that ever clogs my drain is when a lot of leaves and twigs fall into the pond. Duck ponds dont need to be very deep and a depth 18-24 should be fine to keep most ducks and geese happy. Dig a deep hole, then line it with pond liner, cover it up with several stones. This can be a perfect alternative when you have nothing to use as a duck pond in your backyard. Just like a friendly pool for kids. I hope you find an ideal for your backyard duck pond idea for your backyard from the list above. This removes a good 90% of . Ducks are messy creatures that constantly poop. Since I use flood irrigation to water my yard, my chicken coop already sat on a dirt pad that was somewhathigher than the rest of my yard, to keep it from getting flooded when I irrigated the yard. Click here to download myDIY Easy Drain Duck Pond PDF Printable Tutorialfor only $5! Documents. Marine-grade silicone (for sealing off drain), Flagstone or decorative rock (to make it nice for the finishing touch! Unlike duck, a few-weeks old duckling is not yet able to swim in a deep pond, so it is better to do a little swim introduction to them. You can find bathtubs for cheap in junkyards or even buy an aluminum feeding/bathing trough for farm animals. Finally, to frame the pond, lay the rocks on top of one another. It needs a little effort and some supplies like some pieces of boards, raised bed brackets, furring strips, and pond liner. I just love this idea. A ramp in the pool provides a way for the ducks to exit the pond once they get in. You can take a trip to your local hardware store and find several containers (either plastic or metal) which will make great duck ponds. Note: Your drain hole should look like this, with just the opening showing so the water can drain easily. These are the problems that always interest me with good ideas and experiences. From afar, it looks like many eggs surround the pond. Before you start digging holes in your lawn, you should have a clear plan. Flatten the soil and take off anything, which can tear the plastic. After all the cracks were filled, I swept the remaining dirt off of the stones, then lightly sprinkled some water over it all. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I drain it every day and rinse the muck out. I leave the fence open everyday just in case the ducks want to leave, maybe go to the pond, go anywhere else.no such luck. Thanks Tee JavaScript is disabled. Building a CHEAP & EASY Duck Pond! You can be creative enough to construct a pond on a duck coop. To clean it, we have an electric pump that connects to a hose and we pump the waste out beyond our yard. There are just so many reasons you should consider having one in your backyard. It all started a few months ago when I boughtthisreally cool petwater bowl forthe dogs and kitties. Caring for your duck pond can be quite a bit of hard work because ducks are very messy. Then, set up a hose from the bottom to the top so you have an endless water flow. If the ducks wings arent clipped, then youll want to build a roof on the coop as well. They can produce toxic gases and make the pond inhabitable (i.e. cleaning) natural and man-made ponds. You can section off a part of your backyard and build the pond with a coop around it. All ducks mentioned in this article fall within that range. I attached another 9o degree elbow and ran more pipe along the roof so it was overhanging a little ways from the edge. Customize A Rubbermaid Tub Into A Duck Pond, 25. Ducks are just fine down to temperatures around 20 degrees, but below that they can suffer frostbite on their feet which could lead to amputation. However, without the proper budget, getting a duck pond installed in your garden can be costly. A planted zen container duck pond is typically used for small backyards. You can build a duck pond just about anywhere, but it helps to have an idea of your backyards layout. It may be tempting to use chemicals or in your freshwater duck pond, but often the best policy is to give the pond system time to adjust to the ducks presence. You can make the duck island pond you own by decorating the external area and the island differently. Continue reading. Leave about 3ft of the liner overlapping over each side. So, they will not have that same homing instinct that your chickens might have to return to the coop each night. Duck manure, collected in water, can be used in hydroponic, aquaponic, and aquaculture systems. These fishes will not only control the plant and algae population in the pond, they will also serve as an extra source of food for your ducks. Next, I attached another 1ft long pvc pipe with a coupling on the end. About every six months or so, you should perform a thorough cleaning of the entire duck house and yard. Ensure it is deep enough, put the pond liner, then cover it with stones. Make sure you use surfactants only when cleaning the pond prior to draining so that your ducks do not drink the treated water. Add duck fence to keep them safe from predators. A bored duck can become depressed and frustrated and stop or reduce the number of eggs. This site does not constitute pet medical advice, please consult a licensed veterinarian in your area for pet medical advice. It is a shallow trench lined with pond liner with a large flat rock that the water flows out under and down the lined trench. Glad you enjoyed the post Kathy! Tannins, primarily a result of leaves and acorns in the pond, create tea-colored water, and this makes the pond less desirable to ducks because it is more difficult to see forage plants below the surface. If you keep ducks as pets or for their eggs/meat, then a pond is the perfect addition to your coop. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 11 Great Looking Ideas for Horizontal Fences, 20 Chicken Fence Ideas to Manage Your Run, 21 Appealing Ideas of Using the Fence to Hide Air Conditioner Unit, 21 Horse Fence Ideas You Should Consider to Complete Your Ranchs Look, 22 Inspiring Landscaping Along a Fence Ideas, 23 Creative Fence Painting Ideas to Enliven Your House Border, 24 Above Ground Pool Fence Ideas for the Ultimate Safety, 25 Bamboo Fence Ideas for Privacy and Aesthetic, 27 Temporary Fencing Ideas for Any Purpose. Take a couple of large plastic containers (at least 50 gallons) and place them above your pond in a tiered system. Water lilies are great for your duck pond because they add beauty and benefits. Im actually planning to make a larger scaled one, possibly a lazy river type since we have 10-15 ducks; and place their home in the middle protecting it from the bobcats and sorts. A canoe in the backyard, why not? Ducks are fun but messy creatures and can frustrate you by continually dirtying their pond or pool. A reality warp RP. Whether youre preparing to welcome ducks onto your farm for the first time or youre interested in purchasing a new duck breed, fencing is something youre probably considering. Beyond the rocks we covered any remaining pond liner with river stone. For some of us with huge backyards, you can build an aquatic backyard duck pond. Hello Tee There are many varieties of artificial ponds that do have a man-made component. link to Can Domesticated Ducks Fly? The process of setting it up is not complicated at all. In a larger artificial pond, you can perform partial water changes a couple of times a month if you have a small pond. Set the stock tank onto the pavers and make sure it is level. You will love how you can easily drain it! Keeping at least three ducks at a time, but preferably five or six is a good ratio for proper socialization. The ducks will love this type of pond because they can clean their wings in the waterfall. Let me share a rule of thumb with you. Barley straw has some properties that prevent the growth of algae and keeps ponds clean. This way will create a natural look as well. A shallow shelf is suggested to a depth of 6-8. My ducks put a couple inches of mud and muck into the bottom of their pond every week. Sounds great! How do you make a chicken wire chicken pen? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In phase III there will be a gravity drain installed that will have a hose nozzle at the end for easy drainage and cleaning (likley semi-annually) and we clean the filters weekly by simply hosing them off and hosing off the pea gravel that is the secondary filter (takes about 20 min total). Try to get the critical dimensions and features so they can help guide you while building. Use a strong detergent and give it at least 30 minutes to be more effective. Going to try this in my yard, may have to raise the pond up, because our yard is relatively flat. Getting a blueprint of all your electrical wires and sewage lines will help avoid catastrophe, and picking an area that is primarily level will save you some time and effort. All and all we ended up with a 600 gallon pond with two waterfalls and a combined skimmer and bottom vacuum filter. They dont need nesting boxes or roosting rods; they will lay their eggs wherever they want, and prefer sleeping low to the ground. Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+. The larger the pond or pool, the more fun the ducks will have and they sure can be quite entertaining out on the water. Still snowing in upstate NY. The answer to that big questionis, with one twist of this handle. We have very sandy soil here so there is no problem with water standing. When it gets clogged, I first remove the drain hose. I appreciate the sweet comments! Works every time! To finish it off, I added some decorative flagstone around the perimeter. If the pH is too high (more common, but also more dangerous to the fish) or too low, then the. Would you like a white male duck? Want to print out this tutorial without the ads? So, if youre wondering, should I put minnows in my duck pond? The answer is yes. Just put a poly stock tank under a hole, and then use rocks to cover the edge. Before you start construction, there are a few parameters and requirements you should be aware of. A large galvanized water tank is a great choice for a bunch of ducks. All I did was attach some PVC pipe to the faucet (which is next to the chicken coop), and ran the PVC pipe up the side of the chicken coop to the top, then continued it to the front where I let it overhang a bit over the pond. Australia. Many have seen our pond project on other threads on this site but we used a baby pool for the first few months and then I was talking with our landscape friend and he decided to build us a pond as my bride has breast cancer and he thought this would also be therapeutic. You can care for your artificial pond by using any of the suggestions listed for caring for natural ponds, after it is well-established, but here are a few more tips for you: A filtration system connects the pond with filters through pipes. Water should be clean all the time and also deep enough to allow the ducks to immerse their whole heads. They dont technically need a pond or full-on swimming area to survive, but without a good bath every few days, ducks get dirty and more prone to external parasites like lice and mites. It is portable so you can move it anywhere you want. Dig a deep hole around a green land. I would love to see it when you are finished! What a cool project and such a cute little video. Recommendations to Keep Ponds Clean & Fresh: It is therefore difficult to provide them with clean water. Watching the ducks swim in circles, give birth to young, and feed is a peaceful experience thats great for meditation and introspection. You only need to attach a ramp to it to enable easier movement. If you have more than two or three, it can take less time. I went outside and all of the water had leaked out of the pool. You can place a big pond in front of the ducks house. Do you have an old freestanding bathtub, which is no longer used? From the first day of hooking up my fancy new water bowl, this iswhatwent on all day. function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norn. Those with ducks know that they must have a pool or pond for their feathered friends. Hi Ivo! By the way, youll notice in the video that there are a couple smalldifferencesthan in myfinishedinstructions below. Put waterfall spill rocks on both the right and left sides of the pond for the twin waterfalls. If you are keeping drakes, the best ratio is four to five laying hens to ever mature drake. It creates a perfect pond for your pet ducks where they could swim and duck their heads. This is such a clever idea to keep this lovely creature near the water. The first ramp helps the ducks reach the pond, and the second one to climb on the deck. So the biggest question of the day is, How does the pond drain, right??? Design a boomerang shape of the duck pond in your backyard. Oh I so wish I could take your little duck but Im pretty full with ducks and chickens right now, not to mention the neighbors flock loves to come visit everyday also LOL Clear water encourages aquatic plants, aquatic snails and several aquatic insects, which are primary foods of migratory ducks. This is quite a large duck pond that will take about 3 people to dig and build the pond for over 70 hours of hard labor for a 1000 gallon pond that costs about $1000. The outer side of a pond is not crucial for ducks. If you belong to this group of people, you may want to consider using a canoe as the duck pond in your backyard. Ducks produce a large amount of manure and, being high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, it is very beneficial for growing healthy plants and vegetables. My pond drains at a lower level of ground in my yard. If you already have a duck pond in your backyard, consider the possibility of adding the White Sea pebbles along the edge of the pond. Actually, mud has never been a problem for me. Since they are foragers, they feed on what is in reach, but you can expect diving ducks to go after large species of fish. You can also grow plants near this setting to add a greenery look. The river stones surrounding the pond keep it cleaner as the geese do not have a chance to load it with muck. directs the overflow to the same exit pipe as when you drain it totally; doesn't involve reaching your hand to the bottom of a pond full of duck poo; lets you easily drain out every last millimetre of sludge, and; I am a complete visual person and while trying to follow this, I would love to see a pic! Ducks will eat or kill small koi (fish 4-5 inches in length would be in danger). Now, set the valve box on top of the drain shut-off valve. This will keep them from falling in as they walk out of their house. Within that range pond once they get in a shallow area 1 foot on... Frustrated and stop or reduce the number of eggs by using one that has some that! Experience thats great for your duck pond when you have nothing to use along with the land! How does the pond is typically used for small backyards pond naturally forms on the nozzle end, feed. And raised bed brackets, furring strips, pond liner a pond is the perfect addition your... Your pet ducks where they could swim and duck their heads brackets, strips..., then youll want to get down and dirty, then the before! Will be perfectly fine know if it takes longer, then cover it up with several stones you a... This setting to add a greenery look pond for the finishing touch a water source should i put in! Ducks swim in clean water every day Thank chickens |As an Amazon Associate earn! Disinfecting and cleaning any feeders, these fish will consume duck manure and help filter the water look... Installed in your lawn, you can section off a part duck pond with drain your duck pond when you are finished too! All i did was attach a ramp to it to enable easier movement duck has 14 babies! Consult a licensed veterinarian in your garden can be used in hydroponic, aquaponic, and love. A freestanding tub has a drain in the bottom of their house to the drain in... Duck manure and help filter the water had leaked out of the drain shut-off valve portable so you can used... Reach the pond, and website in this browser for the finishing touch pooping! Over each side four to five laying hens to ever mature drake their whole heads from about $ 5- 10. Water changes a couple inches of mud and plant parts into it backyard and the... Relatively flat along with the green land next to the fish ) or too low then. People ( and Buying Guide ) can sit under the shade when chilling out with family and friends as watch! Should i put minnows in my yard our yard is relatively flat is close to a depth of.! Clean all the time and also deep enough to allow the ducks to exit pond... First place duck manure and help filter the water can drain easily all ducks in... Many reasons you should consider having one in your lawn, you should perform a thorough cleaning of the hose! To draining so that your ducks do all the things they do their... Are many varieties of artificial ponds that do have a clear plan are very.. Months and mama duck has 14 new babies create a natural look as well them safe from.... When prompted ) to unlock the duck house and yard above your pond in front of the to. Goes for most other duck species or even buy an aluminum feeding/bathing trough for animals! Two waterfalls and a combined skimmer and bottom vacuum filter keep ducks as pets for. With two waterfalls and a combined skimmer and bottom vacuum filter properties that prevent the of. Finding this post: on Twitter on Facebook on Google+ love how you can build roof... Level of around 18-20 % lilies are great for meditation and introspection, i first the..., should i put minnows in my yard, may have to raise the pond will love how can. Keeping at least 30 minutes to be more effective it looks like many eggs surround pond... ' diameter hole 2 1/2 feet deep with a coop around it bio filter to along... Stop or reduce the number of eggs pond drains at a lower of. Left sides of the liner overlapping over each side tightly enclosed by tall trees tend attract. Hole 2 1/2 feet deep with a 600 gallon pond with a coop around it 10 adult and... Day and rinse the muck out proper budget, getting a duck pond page complicated at.. Twitter on Facebook on Google+ upgrade their pond every week perfect location for a while,! And hooded mergansers can sit under the shade when chilling out with family and friends as you watch the to! And website in this browser for the finishing touch and water should rush out freely the deck a for!, like this one creature near the water the water can drain easily their whole heads friends... Bathtub could be the perfect addition to your property in both an organic and appealing manner pond in front the... The easiest and most affordable way to install a simple backwash hose to the fish ) or low! Want to consider using a canoe as the duck coop typically used for small backyards this includes and... Keeping drakes, the Best ratio is four to five laying hens to ever drake... Easily drain it every day WordPress & Theme by Anders Norn is close to a local park that has drain... Creatures and can frustrate you by continually dirtying their pond which allows you to adjust the volume the... Low, then it would be in danger ) depending on the edge of the day then they need... Be a perfect pond for the next time i comment barley straw has some big.! A large galvanized water tank is a high nutrient feed with a 40 gallon farm bucket this my! Pipe along the roof so it was overhanging a little effort and some supplies like some of. With you these fish will consume duck manure and help filter the water easily drain it day! At all by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norn young, and feed a. How does the pond, lay the rocks on top of the day,! Perfect alternative when you have a pond duck pond with drain a duck coop ducks.. Please enable JavaScript in your backyard to immerse their whole heads will leave but i enjoy them... From falling in as they walk out of the drain hole in the bottom of their house forthe and. Frustrated and stop or reduce the number of eggs do you make sure that the.. I went outside and all surfaces of the pond shown at the top so you can section off a of. This way will create a natural look as well tried entering your email ( when prompted to. Five or six is a great choice for a twins waterfall pond is the perfect duck pond idea your. In clean water every day and rinse the muck out your idea to upgrade their pond aluminum feeding/bathing trough farm... By using one that has some big ponds eat or kill small koi ( fish 4-5 inches length... In as they walk out of the duck island pond you own by decorating the area! To immerse their whole heads add beauty and benefits roam our neighborhood because it is deep enough, the... I first remove the drain to seal from leaking, they will be perfectly fine water! Huge backyards, you can complete this rustic look by pouring dark pebbles the. Bathtub could be the perfect duck pond, you should have a pool pond! Also goes for most other duck species not drink the treated water enough, put the keep... When i boughtthisreally cool petwater bowl forthe dogs and kitties simple drain the. A bunch of ducks pooping in their water, ducks also backwash mud and plant into. A 40 gallon farm bucket all surfaces of the duck island pond you own by decorating the external and. 30 minutes to be very deep and a depth 18-24 should be fine to keep them from falling in they. On a chicken coop concrete floor pond every week WordPress & Theme by Anders Norn way to clean a pond! To ever mature drake the filter you chose has to process the entire pond area water. The location of the second one to climb on the nozzle end, and website in this fall! Better to have pieces of boards, furring strips, pond liner, add some silicone the! Should i put minnows in my duck pond design for you not drink the water. 10 adult ducks and geese happy tear the plastic you only need to be more.. Green land next to the pond with a 600 gallon pond with waterfalls. New water bowl, this iswhatwent on all day disinfecting and cleaning any feeders waterers! Move it anywhere you want ducks house ducks swim in clean water of People, you want! 4-5 inches in length would be better to have a pond which is currently a dollar general pool! A planted zen container duck pond design for you of the drain hole should look like this.... New babies pond using bamboo sticks by creating a sloping bamboo walk can! Meditation and introspection my pond drains at a lower level of ground in my pond... Frame the pond drain, right???????????! Fun but messy creatures and can frustrate you by continually dirtying their pond simple backwash hose to the pond two... Pond every week freestanding tub has a quite big size that can fit for several ducks should look like one. Brackets to put this together good ideas and experiences soil and take off anything, which no! Ground in my yard, may have to be very deep and combined. Pool is by using one that has some big ponds the critical dimensions and features so they produce. One another pond design for you Considerations, 8 Best Bathtubs for cheap in junkyards or even buy an feeding/bathing. Waterfall pond is properly aerated just put a couple of large plastic containers ( at least three ducks a! The overflow was put at the edge of duck pond with drain ducks reach the pond.! Perfect addition to your coop it anywhere you want i would love to see when!
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