Are Kiddie Pools 100% Necessary?

[Poultrybreeder]

I gave my ducks a kiddie pool when they were in with my goats. But, the goats decided every scrap of food was for them, and weren't letting the ducks eat. I tried a cardboard box with bricks for weight, the goats just got on their knees, stuck their heads through the small hole I made for the ducks, and ate all of the feed. I put a crate in, but chickens ate all of the food. So I fixed up an old non-working pump house, and moved the ducks into it. However, with the kiddie pool, the area area is only about 15% dry land. I do not have anywhere larger to put the ducks, this is the only other place. Can they go with just a large water bucket, or a small horse water bucket? The bucket is literally just big enough for them to get in, nothing else.

 

[blackdust951]

i don't know if this helps but i'll try what breeds do you have? and how many? is there enough space for them? i think a pool is not absolutely necessary but they probably would enjoy a pool more tell me if i'm wrong anyonealso is there any way you could place it outside?

 

[Crooked Chicken]

A pool for swimming makes for happy ducks. If they are out in the yard or a pen during the day you can place the pool outside of the house. As long as they have a nice deep bowl or bucket of water to submerge their head, and they can't tip over, that would be sufficient for the house.

 

[jvls1942]

I just use a heavy duty plastic cement mixing tub from Menard's. You must have a building supply store like that near you.
my tub is about 12 years old. I had two of them, but they don't stand up well to be run over with a tractor.
when I had a flock of geese, they would take turns taking baths.

as with any pool make sure you provide a ramp for them to get out. ducks can and do drown,.
what I used was a rubber welcome mat draped over the side of the tub, half out and half in the water.
these tubs are 8 or ten inches deep. about 30 inches wide and 36 inches long.
plenty large enough for two geese at a time. and deep enough for the geese to breed if they are so inclined.
keep the tub outside because they will splash it empty in no time. they don't have to have access to it all the time..

 

[Poultrybreeder]

i don't know if this helps but i'll try what breeds do you have? and how many? is there enough space for them? i think a pool is not absolutely necessary but they probably would enjoy a pool more tell me if i'm wrong anyonealso is there any way you could place it outside?

My breeds are 2 White Pekins and a Blue Swedish. The pool is about 8 inches deep, and I can't let them out just yet, they are terrified of me, and the area around the house has no fencing, you can fill in the rest.

 

[chickens really]

They don't need a kiddie pool...You can also use the larger rubber livestock bowl for them to play in....Then use a bucket for their drinking water....

 

[CarleeAnn]

Had a similar situation, a kiddie pool would take up almost all their yard! I got a 40 Gallon stock tank from a local feed store for $45, it's tall so I made a stone ramp up to it. It's easily tucked next to their coop in about a 5x12 yard.

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[jvls1942]

whatever you use, make dam sure they can get out by themselves. especially young ducks, they can drown..

 

[jofanx]

Kiddie pools are not necessary. I give them one in the summer the last few years just because I like to see them them playing in it (and I like the poopy water they give to feed my plants), but for the first few years of raising them, I never gave them a pool to play with, just a bucket deep enough to dunk their heads in.