Duck Coop & Training Question *pics of my ponds included*

[LilDucky85]

What would HOA have to do with ducks? lol

 

[Heather J]

Some HOAs have really strict rules about the kinds of animals you can raise (along with anything else they feel like restricting...)

My ducks and geese have a 12x20 pen with a very simple A frame shelter inside to get out of the weather (usually just the sun in the summer, they almost never use it in the winter). The pen has a 6-foot fence all the way around, and netting on top. Now, we don't have a big old pond for them to sleep on safely, and we have coyotes and even occasionally mountain lions in town, so they have to be secured at night. I trained them when they were little to come when I feed them at night. And sometimes they can be herded (not always, it can take a while some nights to get them into the pen because the one white pekin drake is often chasing around one of the females (duck, goose, male, female, he's not all that picky!) but it generally goes pretty well, especially if they hear me drop some grain into their food dish!

During the day they have free range of the 1/2 acre pasture, and from April to October they have a big cow waterer to use as a pond.

The irrigation was just turned on--time to get the hose out and fill 'er up!

 

[LilDucky85]

Oh ok, thank you for asking! I never thought of that beforehand! No we don’t have one anymore. We did have it but unfortunately (well, unfortunately before I had ducks I guess now!) the neighborhood voted against it. Luckily my neighborhood is pretty new, and is kept precise regardless. I’ve checked with town, county, and state laws and nothing says you can’t own domesticated ducks. You just cant neglect them, or hoard a wild one, both common sense.

 

[CrazyBirdLady]

I like this guys idea... I mean, you probably aren't going to fence in the whole pond, but to put up little duck houses around it is probably not a bad idea.

http://www.laportaverde.com/pagina.aspx?pageid=205

 

[LilDucky85]

Thats pretty cool. Mine is way too big though, and I wouldnt ever block the view of the pond. I just want to add to the look with a few pretty ducks! We have always had wild geese, Blue Herring, and wild birds but no ducks ever visit.

 

[Hunter0704]

When the ducklings get larger, get a large waterer, large enough drinking space the ducks can get their bills and eyes inside, which I understand is rather important after reading up on their waterers. I saw this great idea for keeping water from freezing in the winter.....insert an aquarium water heater down inside the waterer....since you already have electric this won't be a problem....your ducks will have warm water all winter.

 

[newbyduckmom]

Quote:
Darn I can't see the picture. The link isn't working.

We have a small pond. About 12 feet by 25 ft. My ducks don't come in off the pond unless we round them up.....none to easy.

 

[ChickInDelight]

Quote:
I gotta agree here. Don't encourage fountain use.

A floating house seems most practical. They just need a bit of shelter. You would need some sort of boat to go out and clean.