Can grown ducks take -30 wind chill?

[spectrumranch]

Wildsky- a couple things I would consider- a jacuzi tub usually has slippery and straight sides so it would be hard for a duck to get out of the water. The depth would also be greater than what ducks would need. In a small pool if the water is to deep- alot of waste/sand will build up on the bottom.

Randy

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Thanks Randy - I didn't think of that

Nice to learn from mistakes before I make em!

Perhaps we'll have to get some of that pond liner and try that, I worry that it is also slippery. We have no rocks or anything like that around here, and buying them would become costly. I'm not sure how to get past that problem.
Also draining and cleaning it out. I could possibly place the pond in a high spot to help draining when needed - but our little 3 acres doesn't have many high spots, those that look the best are too far off from the coop area.

 

[spectrumranch]

We have not had any problems with the rubber liner being to slippery- but we have 2 corners that are shallow so the birds can stand and step out of the water.

You do not need much of a slope to create a pond that will drain- infact we have built them on flat ground (just more digging required); you just need somewhere to drain the water too! We use ruber roofing for our ponds that is 45 mil thick and 6 x 6's for the sides. We have not placed rocks in any of the pools- we just put sand in the corners (before the liner is installed) to create a higher shelf. Then after the liner is installed you have a area the ducks can stand in the water.

In the following photo, the top pond is only about a foot higher than the second pond. The top pond is only about 10 inches on the deep end where the stand pipe (drain) is. The water is not on, in the photo- but we normally run water thru the ponds 24/7. The water is ran into the top pond and then gravity flows thru several other ponds. Use 3 inch or larger pipe!

Randy www.spectrumranch.net & www.sosranch.net

Heritage Auction dates Feb 26-28, 2009 see websites for details
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Firearms FEB 26
Animals Feb 28

 

[Wildsky]

Wow Randy - that is a really nice set up! I doubt we'd have water running 24/7 but that pond I think we can handle, I'll make sure to have my hubby take a look here (so he knows what I'd like)

 

[Boggy Bottom Bantams]

see I told yall , northerners kept their ducks on water at times like this! But no one wanted to listen to the old southerner LOL

In addition to the 24/7 running water deal. A lot of my migratory breeder buddies, use numerous aerators in their ponds to keep the water bubbling and circulating as moving water tends to stay in liquid form if I remember correctly?

See ya,
I think yall are all crazy for living in that cold, dont see how you take it?? It was 50 here today, 80 last week, we're think of yall, stay warm!
Aubrey

P.S. Spectrumranch, Love those Eyton's tree ducks, they were one of my favorites,
the australian wodd duck looks good to, I'll try to dig up some of my old waterfowl pics and post here

 

[spectrumranch]

Wildsky- let me know if you have any questions when you start building a pond. I am planning on building several more this year, I will try to get photos from start to finish.

BBB- The Eytons are one of my favorites too.

Randy

 

[cherub78]

Wow- I think we were being really over-cautious. It got down in the negs (maybe -5) here w/ windchill. Ducks are in a small shed w/ chickens and a 250 w heatlamp. We added a second 250 w heatlamp and kept everyone in for a few days. Today they are finally outside again for the day (and happy about that!). Even w/ 2 lamps going in an insulated shed, the temp inside got down to 37 degrees.

But, the main reason for keeping everyone inside was to keep the heat in for the chickens (two are not terribly cold hardy). If we open their hatch door, the temp drops in the shed quickly.

We do have a small pond (maybe 7x7 across and 3 ft deep- made w/ those liners) and it is completely frozen and has been since about the beginning of Nov.

To the people who are talking about building a small pond, it is aweful as far as upkeep. The biofilter (that we spent way too much $ for) is no match for ducks, the pump (also big bucks) clogs daily, and the water STINKS! We are trying to figure out another solution for this year. It is a lot of water to drain and refill constantly.

Sharon

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
Sharon, can you rig up your pump to spray the water into the air and have it land back into your pond?? a fine spray ... this might not be enough in itself, but it will help purify the water and re-oxigenize (not sure if that is even a word)

the water..

 

[spectrumranch]

We run water thru most of our ponds 24/7 most of the year. So they never stink and only need to be cleaned once or twice a month (mainly in summer). The water is normally quite clear. You only need a little trickle to keep them clean, the water supply does not have to be on full blast.

A few ponds that we do not have water to continuiosly-
1.we fill
2. after a few days- (depends on how many birds are using the pool) we pull the stand pipe.
3. the pool will empty in a few minutes.
4. Rinse out. Occaionally we bleach it to clean.
5. put the stand pipe back in back.
6. Leave the hose to fill it back up while I work on chores.

So it does not take long to change the water or clean. I have seen people try to use filters for bird pools and have yet to see one that works good without alot of upkeep. The filter systems are designed for fish and can not keep up with birds.

** A "stand pipe" as we call it, is a pipe that goes in the drain hole on the BOTTOM of the pool to the top of the desired water level.

The open system of just running water in and draining- only has the operating requirement of turning on the facet.

Hope that helps,
Randy

 

[Wildsky]

Randy,
How do you connect and close the drain? If you'd have pictures that would be fantastic. (how thick is the pipe so as not to clog up?)

Our pond won't have the 24/7 water flow and I just know the ducks will have it messy in no time flat.

I don't think we need a very BIG pond - only have the 6 muscovies, but it would be nice if they could ALL get in at the same time.

I think it might be neat if I can get the pond to empty toward my veggie garden - if it doesn't FLOOD the garden it might be really handy.