Raised Duck Pen w/ Plastic Pond and PVC Drain (Photos)

Alright, I've had several requests for photos of my duck pen set-up and plastic duck pool. So here they are. You can also see a video here.

(New Photos Added: See Page 6 of This Thread)

At any rate, the duck pool is a 30 gallon mortar mixing tub which I purchased at Home Depot. I drilled a hole (about 1 inch in diameter) into the bottom of the tub and then attached a kitchen sink drain where the hole was drilled. I sealed the drain to the tub with silicon gel (the same type used for sealing panes of aquarium glass). This keeps the drain from leaking around the seal. To the bottom side of the sink drain I attached a PVC adapter and PVC pipe. The pipe runs under the pen and through a piece of deck board that is attached to the back side of the pen. This supports the weight of the PVC pipe and gives it stability. I have attached a PVC ball valve to the end of the PVC pipe. This allows me to drain all the dirty water in the pool by simply turning the PVC ball valve to "on". Then I turn it back off, I refill with clean water. All PVC parts and joints have been sealed with PVC cement. With this set-up, I have eliminated the need to ever dump out dirty tub water... instead, I just turn a switch and the dirty water automatically drains out!

On a side note, I will eventually be painting the house portion of the pen barn red to match the adjacent chicken house. I will also be painting the roof black and covering it with black roofing shingles. The PVC pipe and wood support brace will also be painted black to match the tub/pool. I will eventually be building another pen exclusively for the mandarins. It will be similar in design. However, it will include a larger "pond" consisting of an 80-100 gallon stock tank. The house portion will be two story, with the upper story consisting of four private nest boxes. The lower story will be a communal area where the feed will be offered.

Do they fair well on that wire? Won't they get bumblefoot?

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They seem as content as can be. I've never had one get bumblefoot. I know a lot call duck breeders keep their birds on wire in similar set ups. Keep in mind, that the bottom of the house is not wire. Instead, it is plywood covered with wood shavings. Also, the wire is one half inch hardware cloth which provides plenty of support for their feet.

Really nice Scott. Thanks for sharing the set up and especially the water component. I'm hoping to create something similar with the plumbing and a garden pond this summer. We currently scoop out the mucky water in our kiddy pools. So GROSS!

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Thanks. And yes, I agree that emptying that mucky water is a heinous chore. I've simplified the process... just turn the switch and it drains into the woods.

Haha, what a great plan for dealing with the duck-muck! Very nice design, those look like happy ducks!

Could you recycle water into your garden? It seems like it would make great fertilizer.

Scott, this really looks like a great set up! I really like it. I agree that emptying pools are a PITA! I think I'm going to do this for my Calls, which as of later today I should have 18 of them, if all 9 of them hatch. I also have Butterscotch and Cinnamon Call eggs coming.

Your ducks look happy and content.

Thanks for the great pics!

Laurie

I LOVE this set up. I have a similar set up but with a stock tank. (I have heavy Rouens) The stock tank has a drain but I need to find an adapter so that I can add PVC pipe or a hose so that it doesn't just drain in the same spot EVERY time so close to the pool. Also my stock tank requires a screw driver to release the drain. I really like your set up with the faucet handle. Thanks for sharing. Annie

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I think I will give that a try this spring and summer. It would really just be a matter of getting a garden house and adapter. Should work well. As you can see the garden is right there in front of the chicken house.