Best pool for ducks?

[jerseygirl1]

I am embarking on my duck venture, and have settled on chocolate muscovies - any suggestions on teh best pool fo rthem? I was thinking of the kiddie pools, made of hard plastic, but wouldn't they crack in the winter? Also, How often do you empty and fill again?
Thanks

 

[duckyfromoz]

I use a number of different plastic containers and kiddie pools in my yard. The oldest is a babies bath that is now approaching its 6th year of use...It is starting to show signs of going brittle- But so far- it has lasted very well. The current kiddy pools have been here for about 6 months- and are as good as new after 1 summer I dont leave the pools out all winter- but rather just fill them once a week - let the ducks have a good old splash around for a few hours then tip out the water and put it away until the next weekend. I clean out drinking water containers every day and the pools every second day. I also move them around to different places each time to avoid the area getting to muddy. As for what would be the best for you - It would depend alot on how many ducks you were getting.

 

[Amiga]

If you can get ahold of a large watering container, like the ones used for cows and horses, those can work out but you might need to have some sort of structure around it and inside it so the ducks can easily get in and out.

I am using concrete mixing pans - we will see how they hold up - they seem more sturdy than kiddie pools.

Perhaps you can find a used fiberglass pond liner. I have one available but I have to drive a couple of hundred miles to go pick it up from a relativce.

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
hey hunny-my ducks are PATHETIC! we have a massive pond

they get "put" in they jump right out and runn up the dock into the yard!!!!

Here's where they would rather be!

-they get their pool cleaned everyday-In winter they only get a deep enough dish for them to clean their beaks and such-
PS the middle fence divider is now out

and a huge doghouse is in there too for whatever

 

[Amiga]

Looks like security has a higher value than the beauty of the wilderness!

 

[dacdeihl]

I bought one of those 150 gallon garden pools at Menards. Put a sink drain in the bottom that leads to an under ground tile that takes the water over a steep hill into a woods.
It take ten minutes to let the water dain out. 10 minutes to spray it out to get all the poo and grass and mud out. Finally 10 minutes to fill back up. Not bad. I do this every other day. When I'm really bussy every three days.

 

[Amiga]

dacdeihl,

Sounds like a nice setup!

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
I know..haha Well Im not home during day-all chickens free range expect the ones that are in with the ducks growing out-then they all get locked up in the garage at night-that pen is not safe over night-predetors like crazy!

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
real nice--pictures???? please

 

[chicksnchooks]

My ducklings are only 3 weeks old right now so we use a rectangular tupperware thingy and put a towel at the end so they can climb in and out ***I got that idea from a picture a fellow BYC member posted of her ducks**** and it works great...they can get in and out easily or just sit on the drenched towel without having to go all the way into the water....