Duck ponds

[Brandi0530]

I could use some help on how to keep my ducks pond clean. I have a pump that runs on a solar panel and a biofilter we made. It’s not helping at all.

 

[SkyeT]

I was advised to not make a pond for our ducks. They are so messy that there is very little that would help the pond stay clean. They pick everything up and put it in there, eat mud and sand and wash their faces and bills (and the mud and sand) in the water. They go to the bathroom in the water and they actually put some of their feed in the water.

We simply bought some small plastic kiddie pools and fill them with water in the morning. By evening, you'd think we created a mud bath for them. We empty it, using the water to distribute between plants, trees and grass, and start all over the next morning. They get small drinking containers for the evening in their pen. It' snot a glamorous solution, but it is a workable solution.

After having our ducks for nearly a month, as much as I would love a pond in our backyard, I don't think I would have the energy to keep it clean.

 

[Breemae123]

View attachment 1496844 I could use some help on how to keep my ducks pond clean. I have a pump that runs on a solar panel and a biofilter we made. It’s not helping at all.

This is my set up/drain. I just turn the nozzle and let it drain out of the pen then I spray it out and fill it back up.

 

[Breemae123]

This is my set up/drain. I just turn the nozzle and let it drain out of the pen then I spray it out and fill it back up.

Actually I replaced the hose with piping. It drains a lot faster now.

 

[SkyeT]

Since our pools are very small, we didn't go the drain route. But, if we need to get a bigger pool, we will probably do the same thing with a drain.

 

[CrystaBub]

I have a pool in their run and a pond in my yard. I use a pump/fountain/filter with a UV clarifier. I think the UV clarifier is the key... This is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CPL57KO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Susan12]

I too just dump the kiddie pool it's fast and easy.

 

[Brandi0530]

I have a pool in their run and a pond in my yard. I use a pump/fountain/filter with a UV clarifier. I think the UV clarifier is the key... This is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CPL57KO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does it work good for you? I know the water will never be perfectly clean, I just don’t want to drain more than once a week. I just went to Lowe’s and saw this one.

 

[Redrowze]

I have a 60' by 60' by 12'deep pond that I am trying to naturalize. We built the pond for it's clay soil for our homes foundation....and then I got chickens, ducks, and geese. We all love our pond, but it is lacking natural features that would help keep the water clean. We have an aeration pump running in the pond right now and it seems to have improved the water quality greatly. (Hiblow XP-80 Septic air pump) I am planting marginal plants to help water quality including Mexican Petunias, Cannas, Arrowhead, Louisiana Iris, Water Taro, and Water Mint. My floating plants include Water Hyacinths, Duck Weed, and Azolla all in a containment coral. I need suggestions on oxygenating plants that are not invasive and the ducks will use for a food source. Any suggestions?

 

[CrystaBub]

View attachment 1497349
Does it work good for you? I know the water will never be perfectly clean, I just don’t want to drain more than once a week. I just went to Lowe’s and saw this one.

It works wonders. I have to rinse out the filters in both once a week. I change the water in their tub (70 gallons) once a week. I never change the pond water - it's too much. My pond is clear with some algae on the rocks which I love b/c it breeds bugs and other things that the ducks chase and eat - they eat the algae too! I recommend adding a fountain head for aeration. I use the dome fountain which reflects the sun - I like to think it's scaring the hawks away

I need suggestions on oxygenating plants that are not invasive and the ducks will use for a food source. Any suggestions?

I wish I had some good suggestions on this. My ducks have eaten every plant I've tried to introduce to the pond (lilies, irises, grasses, reeds, water clover, etc). They ate through 20 water hyacinths in a couple of hours. Another BYCer suggested Lizard's Tail. I tried it - and the ducks don't eat the plant. They will eat the roots however, so I had to cover them with stones. If you find something they don't eat, PLEASE let me know! I'd like to add more plants but I've spent a small fortune on pond plants that just ended up being duck lunch!