- Jul 4, 2014
- 7
- 4
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First off I want to say thanks to all the duck lovers out there for this wonderful forum. This is our first venture into the realm of backyard duck keeping. That said, our four little girls, Swedish Blacks are a total blast, from the start at 4 days old to 16 week olds they have and are, a loving trip.
However, Houston we have a problem. We have learned one thing above all to this point, our girls do not like change on little bit to their world.
Here is our problem; just off their veranda I placed a kiddy pool for them to paddle around in, 8' dia. by 18" kept clean by a huge pool sand filter system. They will only get in it when it is very late in the day and the water appears dark(r). I think I ran across a sentence at some time that said clear water, pool bottom is typical light blue, white sides, is off putting to ducks because they can not "see" the water. This kinda makes sense as they play continually in a couple of shallow chaffing pans that get muddy brown instantly that I keep out as we are in the mid to high 90's right now and they have to have something. They do not like the gentle wand sprinkler I tried one bit. I found "Pond Dyes" that are touted as a cure, by pond people not duck people, as both algae control and surface masking. Has anyone run into this issue and have you tried the dyes?
These four girls are spoiled rotten, we love it, and their care is paramount to us. We are animal people and they run our dogs, a Golden Doodle and a Aussie Shepard both rescues, ragged. The dogs crash out on the back lawn to nap and the next thing they are getting their tails pulled by the ducks.
Any input will be welcomed and I will post any and all results.
Thanks again for the forum, we will not be strangers here.
However, Houston we have a problem. We have learned one thing above all to this point, our girls do not like change on little bit to their world.
Here is our problem; just off their veranda I placed a kiddy pool for them to paddle around in, 8' dia. by 18" kept clean by a huge pool sand filter system. They will only get in it when it is very late in the day and the water appears dark(r). I think I ran across a sentence at some time that said clear water, pool bottom is typical light blue, white sides, is off putting to ducks because they can not "see" the water. This kinda makes sense as they play continually in a couple of shallow chaffing pans that get muddy brown instantly that I keep out as we are in the mid to high 90's right now and they have to have something. They do not like the gentle wand sprinkler I tried one bit. I found "Pond Dyes" that are touted as a cure, by pond people not duck people, as both algae control and surface masking. Has anyone run into this issue and have you tried the dyes?
These four girls are spoiled rotten, we love it, and their care is paramount to us. We are animal people and they run our dogs, a Golden Doodle and a Aussie Shepard both rescues, ragged. The dogs crash out on the back lawn to nap and the next thing they are getting their tails pulled by the ducks.
Any input will be welcomed and I will post any and all results.
Thanks again for the forum, we will not be strangers here.
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