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- #22
John Smallberries
Chirping
3) Duck pond: My first 50-gallon bin worked fine when the ducks were small. Now that they are near full size, only one duck can use it at a time. I built a larger one out of 4x4 landscape timbers lined with a plastic tarp. I made a ledge of "Trex-like" plastic decking for the top. Plenty of room for all three.
Next problem: fresh water when freezing. I ran a black plastic sprinkler line down to feed the duck pond fresh water. BUT - this entire line has two sections that are exposed to the elements. So - I either need to heat the line, or blow it out after every use. I chose the second option. I bought a wifi-enabled 4-channel sprinkler timer from Home Depot and four 24-volt ball valves off Amazon. I also bought a small air compressor and 5-gallon air tank. My wife has a separate garden that I need to water as well. So - I plumbed up this contraption in my heated basement. I can send water to the ducks during winter and then flush compressed air down that line to blow out the water. The timer controls the whole thing. They get 30 minutes of fresh water flow every day. I also put a small pond heater in to keep ice from forming. So far, it has survived the first 4 freezing nights. We will see if it makes it the entire winter.
Next problem: fresh water when freezing. I ran a black plastic sprinkler line down to feed the duck pond fresh water. BUT - this entire line has two sections that are exposed to the elements. So - I either need to heat the line, or blow it out after every use. I chose the second option. I bought a wifi-enabled 4-channel sprinkler timer from Home Depot and four 24-volt ball valves off Amazon. I also bought a small air compressor and 5-gallon air tank. My wife has a separate garden that I need to water as well. So - I plumbed up this contraption in my heated basement. I can send water to the ducks during winter and then flush compressed air down that line to blow out the water. The timer controls the whole thing. They get 30 minutes of fresh water flow every day. I also put a small pond heater in to keep ice from forming. So far, it has survived the first 4 freezing nights. We will see if it makes it the entire winter.
So many good ideas, it looks great. Over time, you will make some changes as issues come to light. That's the natural progression of things, trial and error, change, tweek, correct things you decide need it. No one builds a first facility " perfect" the first attempt. In order to be able to point out issues, you first have had to go thru that process yourself, made the mistakes, corrected them and learned. It may all work flawlessly, it may not, the process and time will tell. Good job!
