Can ducks make use of a wooded swamp?? Thoughts, concerns, and experience needed!

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Hello all!

Recently me and my family were invited by my grandparents to move from our 1 acre city yard onto their 20 acre plot of land in Michigan with them. They are getting older, and cannot take care of the place like they used to. Nothing is decided as of yet, but as the dreamer I am, I have been walking the property and trying to figure out how to turn a very pretty piece of land into a useable, working homestead.

I currently raise ducks because I am allergic to chickens (I still have those little cluckers too, but I can't eat their eggs, so ducks are a very important part of the homestead!) On our grandparent's property there is a large wooded swamp behind the house and gardens. It is kinda a useless area, but I was wondering, could ducks utilize it as a pond type thing?

It is really mucky and dark, and not super deep. Basically its a very low area that is flooded with water most of the year. It doesn't smell super bad, kinda like a stronger pond smell. But it is a breeding ground for mosquitos, which is not too wonderful!

I know ducks love dabbling in mucky water, and they love eating mosquito larvae!

My question is, can I fence of that area and use it as a duck pond, with a dry land area, as well as a nice cozy duck barn? Would there be any health risks for the ducks being in the mucky areas? Should I maybe get the water tested for toxins, and if so, what kinda stuff might be harmful to ducks?

Any thoughts, experience and insights anyone might have on this is greatly appreciated!

I'd also love to know what kind of of things people do with swamps like this, if anyone has any ideas on that!

Thanks!

 

[sylviethecochin]

I think they'd love it, but I'd be really concerned about predator-proofing that place to the max before putting ducks in it. I don't like putting poultry anywhere I can't get a clear shot at a predator, or where the dogs can't run.

Our place is pretty swampy in a low area below the house, and the ducks ripped it up almost completely, but they never got sick off of it. Unless the water's in a location known for alkalinity or salmonella (which is, actually, in a lot of well water) I'd not bother getting it tested.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Predator proofing might be a challenge, but not so important if you lock up your ducks over night in a duck house. Are snapper turtles common in that area? If yes, you can be almost certain they will be in that swamp and snappers and duck-legs are highly incompatible…

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think they'd love it, but I'd be really concerned about predator-proofing that place to the max before putting ducks in it. I don't like putting poultry anywhere I can't get a clear shot at a predator, or where the dogs can't run.

Our place is pretty swampy in a low area below the house, and the ducks ripped it up almost completely, but they never got sick off of it. Unless the water's in a location known for alkalinity or salmonella (which is, actually, in a lot of well water) I'd not bother getting it tested.

Or septic tank run off.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Or septic tank run off.

 

[sourland]

The ducks would love that environment, but it would also be a predator paradise. Predators that come to mine are snapping turtles, otter, mink, raccoon, fox, bobcat, coyote, and then there are the raptors -----------------------

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

The ducks would love that environment, but it would also be a predator paradise. Predators that come to mine are snapping turtles, otter, mink, raccoon, fox, bobcat, coyote, and then there are the raptors -----------------------

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Thanks for the input guys!

That is genuine concern about predator proofing, I do know there are plenty of foxes and coons on the property, as well as predatory birds.

Never thought about snappers! There is also a small pond on the property, and it has never had a snapper in it. I wonder if there is way to muck around the swamp (since it is not very deep) in like waders or something and get snappers out if there are any.

My ideas on predetor proofing would be a fully secure duck house at night (of course!) and I would also fence off around the swamp on the dry ground. I also plan on having livestock guardian dogs and keeping a space clear around the pen should allow them to keep critters at bay!

lol, It is also within view of the house, and If I saw something, I would have a clear-ish shot down into the area...

eww. Septic run off...there is septic on the property, I didn't even think about that! I will have to ask my grandparents if that might be a concern.

And knowing me, getting it tested is probably in the cards, as I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Yeah, there are a couple of swampy places like this, and because of it, mosquitos are pretty bad during the summer. I'd love a way to have happy ducks and hopefully fewer mosquitos!

Thanks again! And anymore input from others is still greatly appreciated!

 

[Texag87]

Good thing it’s up north. In the swamps down here you have to worry about Nutria in addition to other predators .

 

[Miss Lydia]

How about alligators? in Florida swamps we have them.