Duck Pond/Pool suggestions

[~SunSetsWest~]

Quote:
This is AWESOME!!!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
Doesn't that still cost you a lot for the electricity to run the pump for that long? And won't that add wear to the pump itself? We have well water too, but I still try to be prudent with its use. When we first moved here from the city Mister thought we now had "free" water and ran it excessively until I taught him how much it still cost. Also, during our dry season we're supposed to be extra careful with our useage, even if we're on wells. It still affects the water table.

I'm not trying to be critical, just wondering how it works for you where you are.

 

[Matapatos]

Some wells are continuously running, my parents have one that runs all the time. Its not on a pump. This would be ideal... That or a spring!

 

[jadasmith99]

Gate valve..I'm talking to my dh tomorrow! What a great solution, thanks!

 

[therapyducks]

I read the posts and saw some great suggestions. We use ducks for therapy work. I started with one pen with large stones as a base and finer stones on top hoping for better drainage.

I use a step2 pool with an old swimming pool pump. We work off of donations. With the filter if I run twice a day, I only have to pump pool and once a week. We have problem with allege build up towards to of pool that needs to be scrubbed when drained.

I live in northeast PA and winter is coming. I do not run filter in winter and we use a horse water tank heater and change water when temperature allows.

We have a order problem even though we wash down stones. Does not bother us, but do not want neighbors or visitors to smell. Any suggestions?

Any recommendations on how to improve filtering or allege?

Additional information.\We just added a new pen with same pool no filter. No stone yet, not sure if that was the was to go. Ground very muddy, and of course they carry mud in pool. Pumping pool at least twice a week with sump pump. Leaves some mud, but not water seems clean when we refill.

I am looking for suggestions on what to use for ground. We do not think sand is good, because it would get carried into pool and also wash away when we spray pen down.

There is little chance of finding another donated swimming filter right away. Should we consider running both filter together in both pools?

Ducks are healthy. We do rescue as well as therapy so money is real tight, so looking for cheap solutions. I can probably get more stone donated and maybe other supplies. I saw many people have mentioned using straw or saw dust, but that would be really messy and hard to clean in pens.

We do use straw and saw dust in carriers to bring ducks on visits. Winter is coming and I want to get a base down fairly quickly, but looking to see what would make best base.

Thank you for any help,
Neil www.youngsfunnyfarm.org

 

[TTeddy]

I built mine on a hillside with a drain in it. I just open a gate valve and it's emptied. It doesn't get much easier than that.

This is what I had in in mind for my ducks, but on a smaller scale. Shouldn't be too hard. and you don't have to build it on a hill, it will still drain if just built up like that.
Nice, and you've done wellll!

 

[horsejudge]

That is AMAZING!!!

 

[GermanChick]

I built mine on a hillside with a drain in it. I just open a gate valve and it's emptied. It doesn't get much easier than that.

OMG!!! I want that !!!!
I just ordered some goslings for this year and after having our first duck egg for breakfast this morning we decided to add some ducks too. Will be our first year with waterfowl. I totally have to "steal" your design. Husband should be able to build that, including the shed for nighttime. Our pasture will be on a hillside as well, so it should work out perfect !!!! LOVE IT!!!!

 

[Mary Courtney]

Have you had any problems with odor?

 

[DCMuffin]

Boy, bumping this one up, I see, from a couple years ago. Hope that's all right!

We are currently using a small kiddie pool for the ducks, but it's upgrade time because they're big enough where they can float but they can't do much more. We have a super large kiddie pool that we are going to use as a replacement, and my hubs is out right now getting materials to install a drain low on the side. The small kiddie pool, I can spin to the edge of the run and then lift enough to dump, but the larger one, I won't. I found this in my search on the web and think I'll do something similar with some lawn edging, a ramp and some rock (just to keep it clean around the edges). Just thought I'd add it to the mix here for ideas