Duck pond step?

[SoonersDucks]

So I am designing my new duck pond out of a 4ft by 2ft round stock tank. My question is, do I need to make some sort of step for them inside the pond so that they can get out? Or can I just leave it and they can climb out on to the ground themselves? The top of the stock tank will be level with the ground or a deck...

If you have a step, what do you use? I don’t want to fill the tank with a bunch of rocks or pavers...

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I use a half cinder block in one pool and a couple bricks in another. However, mine would probably be fine without it, now. They often get out by jumping or flapping. I just don't want to risk it. If yours are young and/or not used to getting in and out of a pool, then I would make sure they have some way to get out. A friend had a young duck drown in a pool about the size of yours a day after she set it up. She did not have an inside the pool step. Think of it as a resting spot if the duck become waterlogged.

 

[SoonersDucks]

I use a half cinder block in one pool and a couple bricks in another. However, mine would probably be fine without it, now. They often get out by jumping or flapping. I just don't want to risk it. If yours are young and/or not used to getting in and out of a pool, then I would make sure they have some way to get out. A friend had a young duck drown in a pool about the size of yours a day after she set it up. She did not have an inside the pool step. Think of it as a resting spot if the duck become waterlogged.

My ducks are pretty much full grown, but I do think I need something for them to be able to stand on to help get out. I just dunno what to use. I really don’t like the idea of bricks

 

[cheezenkwackers]

The half cinder block is on its side and doesn’t take up that much room. Otherwise, maybe you could create some kind of hanging step like in an above ground pool or off a boat?!

 

[FluffTheDuck]

What do you mean by fully grown? Are they a year old or still in the months, or in the weeks? If they are about, I would say, 10 weeks+ they probably don’t need a step.
If they are younger then that you can get what the people here said. I honestly don’t think ducks need steps if they are 10+ weeks. Especially if it’s level with the ground.

 

[Steven Bussell]

Sounds like we are using about the same size. I'm also using a half cinder block. My three 8 weeks old ducks are enjoying it. I'm going to double the size next year.
The nice thing about the block the chicks stand on it to reach out for treats I feed into the pond though my filter system.
I keep the water level to about 1" from the top .Most of the time they just jump in and out with out using the step. It also is a good hiding place for the few fish I have in there.
Will you be using a filter system

 

[DuckyDonna]

I"ve got one of the bigger kiddie pools and have 2 chunks of 4 x 4 one the bottom and have bricks on top of that to hold them down because they want to float. Works great so far. Personally, I think they need it in a pool this size.

 

[SoonersDucks]

What do you mean by fully grown? Are they a year old or still in the months, or in the weeks? If they are about, I would say, 10 weeks+ they probably don’t need a step.
If they are younger then that you can get what the people here said. I honestly don’t think ducks need steps if they are 10+ weeks. Especially if it’s level with the ground.

My ducks are about 6 months or so.

 

[SoonersDucks]

Sounds like we are using about the same size. I'm also using a half cinder block. My three 8 weeks old ducks are enjoying it. I'm going to double the size next year.
The nice thing about the block the chicks stand on it to reach out for treats I feed into the pond though my filter system.
I keep the water level to about 1" from the top .Most of the time they just jump in and out with out using the step. It also is a good hiding place for the few fish I have in there.
Will you be using a filter system

Thanks for the info... can you show me your filter system? Also how do you put the treats through the filter?

 

[Steven Bussell]

Sooner .....I'm almost to embarrassed to show my filter system .
I have been keeping fish tanks for years now... At one point I had almost 300 gallons of aquariuma in my house.
My 50 gallon pond has almost a 200 gallon filter system with a 900 gph dirty water pump. It can pump up to a 1/4" of solid material. Half my filter system I'm growing duck weed which is good to feed to a mix flock and water luttuce which is a no go for feeding. But it has deep dig roots for pulling nitrates out of the water .
I'm using charcoal for controlling the smell I also have 100 lbs of lava rocks to help with my bio filter.
The water filterf first through 3 aquarium filter pads. First one removes the large particles . Second one removes med. particles, then a water polisher filter . And if that's not enough I have a small sand filler.
But my water is so clear you would think it's tap water.
I still do a 50 gallon water change once a week to water trees and plants
I have aquarium water test it's and my water reading are almost as good as my tank water.
In short the key to clean water is to over filter and move a lot of water fast.
My water never turns green. Only time it looks dirty is when I clean the system which is very two weeks