Hope there's lots of responses to this thread. I don't have ducks yet but have been clearing the brush away from pond this winter in anticipation of getting 'em. What specie duck have you? Lots of ponds here in Northern Rural Alabama have ducks. My wife and I take note of 'em as we drive. 1 pond had Muscovy's for 2 years without a loss, haven't seen any there for months now, not sure if predators are to fault. Another pond had 10 Pekins, no loses for a year. Then every month or 2, 1 would vanish, down to zero.
Here's my thoughts: I'm retired and love spending lots of time on our predator wild 5 acres. So, I trap and dispatch coons and possums. I mean lots, full court press, several years ago I took 30 coon/possum Jan to March. 1 year later they're back full force. Our small pond is 100' X 80' without viable fencing. I'll probably put 5 gal. buckets, with straw, with flashing to keep out squirrels, against large tree trunks. (Will Muscovy's use these?) The MVs will have to fly up to 'em. We have deer feeders with corn, may switch to more palatable nutritional feed next to pond. Of course, they'll be pets and get food treats. I can install motion sensor solar lights above feeders and take an occasional duck thief with rifle as well. Coyotes and bobcats are only rare problems. Hawks and owls are worrisome, but MVs are big so we'll have to see. My neighbor has a tight goat fence that keeps out coyotes. Canadian geese nest and raise their goslings at his pond every year. We've tried for Wood Ducks for 4 years. They come in and nest but no baby ducklings yet. There's dead baby ducks when I change out the wood shavings, some eggs with mostly formed babies. Hopefully, the MVs will put the Woodies and other wild ducks more at ease.
Plan B: for other duck species; Construct a raised island coop, maybe 30" above water with non climbable supports. Include a ramp leading up from water and place a coon cage trap on that walkway. The ducks will stay out of 'em after getting caught once or twice (if like other critters). Have a solar auto feeder noisily provide tasty ?all flock or such, around sunset. A quality auto coop door closer would be in order also. Door opens at sunrise. (I view the pond from house windows 50yds.) Maybe put a solar light on top of coop to annoy owls that may perch there.
Understood that most don't have the time to manage intensely. There's lot's of ponds with ducks. How do they do it BackYard Duck experts?
