Duck coop/pond need advice on rocks

[Lskelton]

We are just finishing our duck coop and have placed rocks around the pond for them to get in to. Our 4 babies are only about 2 weeks old and will not go in there for a couple more weeks but I am wondering if these rocks will work? Be too hard for the ducks to climb? Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[Isaac 0]

I'm not sure, it does look a little steep to me. I believe @Miss Lydia uses those flat rocks in some parts of her run, she may have advice.

You might just need to let them out there and see how they do with it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think they will be able to navigate that pretty good, but like @MasterOfClucker letting them out to see will be the test. That's really nice the way you set it up.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I really like what you did. I would worry about the sharp edges on the rocks as well as the steepness of the climb. I put rocks similar to yours down flat on top of landscape cloth (so they couldn't get to mud around the pool) and then filled in between the rocks with river rock pebbles. It's keeping the pool so much cleaner.

I know that your pool is much deeper than mine and you've got to have it that hight because of the drain but I wonder if you could build a ramp to it or a frame around it? I would love to have that pool and the drain is awesome, no bailing and a quick hose down would be so great. I'm jealous!

 

[chelseachook]

Looks a little steep, but ducks usually find a way to get into the water. They will love the pond!

 

[CoriM]

Wow, you went to a lot of work and that's so pretty. I second what some others are saying. It's too steep and will be difficult for them to navigate. The sharp edges on those types of rock are a concern. Any little cut on their webbing can cause bumblefoot. I learned the hard way. I had just one layer of those types of rocks on my ducks pond, as well as concrete blocks inside for them to get out (which you might need to add on the interior ledge). I ended up having to remove my rocks and my husband rounded the edge of all my concrete blocks. What actually would be best, as some suggested, is a really wide and sturdy ramp covered with artificial turf. Maybe you could use your beautiful rocks somewhere else in your landscaping. Putting the pebbles between them was a nice idea to keep sharp edges from catching their feet. Also, you might take your babies in and out of the pond for very short supervised swims now when they're little (like 5 or 10 mintues) and that way they get used to it. My ducks only swam in a blue wading pool for the first two months and we put a little pond just like yours into their run. When we transitioned them to the run they were afraid of it. Now mostly just my welsh will go in it. The pekins have a hard time getting out, and they definitely like to have something they can stand on where their feet touch the ground. Just what I learned from my experience.