Duck Pond Questions!

[randomchick]

We bought a new place and will move in on April 1st. My husband wants to dig a pond for our future ducks and geese. We have already discussed placement and we will be fencing it in twice, once a 4 foot high fence around the pond and duck houses, and then a second fence six feet high about ten feet out from that for our dogs to run in and get their scent to ward off some predators. I have a few questions though, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

1: How big should this pond be? I will have about 20-25 ducks and 4-8 geese during the summer months, much less over winter. yum yum! I have room for a big pond so how big should it be? I was thinking 30-40 feet across from side to side. Will this be enough? I can have more as I have plenty of land, or I can downsize on the amount of birds.

2: How do I keep it clean?

3:Should I be putting some sort of solar fountain for movement or is that not necessary?

4:Can I, should I, introduce fish to eat the bird poo? If so what kind of fish?

5: Should I add floating areas so they can escape a coyote if need be?

I need my plans all laid out so that I can apply for a permit. We have already ordered our ducklings and gooselings for the beginning of may and would love any help. We have never had either geese or ducks before.

Thanks all

 

[randomchick]

I should also ask how far the chicken coops should be placed from the duck area. Also if ducks will do well with geese?

 

[AmyJ]

We're planning on making a pond also. So I'll be watching this thread

Sorry I don't have any info for you.

 

[randomchick]

Does anyone have any advice? Please, please, please.

 

[tonini3059]

Just curious, will it be natural, i.e. fed by a stream or just a hole in the ground. If it is the former you will need permits from the feds and possibly the state.
As far as size goes make it as large as you can, it is easier to do it in the begining than later on. Besides you may want to add more birds later on. Also ducks like to dabble so it my be very hard to keep it clean since they will constantly be picking up mud and putting it into the water. I have no idea how you would be able to filter it if it was a closed pond so to speak.
I do not think the fountain would be neccesary for water movement since nothing is going to live in the water, which takes me to the fish. It may be hard to keep fish in the pond since it may be too muddy and get too hot during the summer. Plus I am not sure of any fish that would actively eat the bird waste. I could be wrong but I do not think fish would help clean the water that much.
An island maybe a good idea, if for nothing more than another spot for them to rest. However if it is fenced in hopefully land based predators will not be much of an issue.

 

[rainplace]

Here are some links I found using google with the search criteria - making a duck pond

Smaller pond than you're thinking of, but worth looking at:
http://www.laportaverde.com/pagina.aspx?pageid=205

I found this discussion to be informational and short:
http://www.diychatroom.com/f16/dig-out-swamp-make-duck-pond-4542/


search criteria - build duck hunting pond (then I just followed links from links)

Fast and easy read - good i nfo
http://www.ehow.com/way_5552901_tips-building-waterfowl-hunting-pond.html

From the State of Michigan, some great info!
http://www.washtenawcd.org/you/pondprep.php

In depth handbook from the USDA
http://www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/pdf files/PONDS.PDF

Lots of info and links here:
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/publicat...itat_Mgmt/Wetland/Building_Managing_Ponds.htm

I hope this helps! I enjoyed doing the search because hopefully one day, I'll be able to dig out a nice pond.

 

[randomchick]

Thanks for the web sites, I will read them through in a few moments. I honestly never thought of searching for hunting ponds, but what a great idea. As for the permits, I have already looked into all of that, and as long as I bring in a land survey, etc it should be no problem. The reason I was wondering about fish was because I have heard that others have put fish into their duck ponds, and I needed a bit more info on it and opinions.

 

[rainplace]

Quote:
I believe the usda handbook covers fish. I know I saw a link somewhere let me see if I can find it.

 

[rainplace]

Wow, there's some incredible information in some of these links! I didn't know I'd be reading so much on ponds today!

I can't find the fish thing

 

[Amiga]

Wonderful plans, to have a real pond for the waterfowl!

I would stick with the aeration idea if I were you - I used to work some with pond on farms and often the worst problems people had was when they did not aerate their ponds. Aeration provides oxygen to the tiny critters that break down wastes in ponds.

Shallow ponds, less than three feet, will quickly grow emergent vegetation. To keep open water, depths of more than three feet work best.

The Soil and Water Conservation District (if you have one) may have a resident pond expert - see if you can find them.

Also, permaculture practitioners recommend a duck / fish balance in ponds. For a working system, plants need to be selected, also. It doesn't have to be awfully complicated, but you may want to read up a little on aquaculture to find a way to have a "self-cleaning" pond.