We dug the hole,then packed it,layed chicken wire for reenforcement.I would recommend that you put 3 mil plastic under the wire. Just in case you get a crack. the dimensions of the pond are around 17x28. Also have a gentle slope on 1 side for the other birds. Didn't want anyone drowning.
I love your duck pond as well.I have my girls old turtle sandbox bottom that is the duck pond at our house for the 7 muscoveys that are free range.Everytime we put fresh water ,everyone takes a bath,sometimes two or three in a day lol
As long as you feed them they usually don't go far. i was having trouble with mine because they are free range and they enjoy crossing the road. I chased them back about 3 or 4 times with the broom and they decided that maybe that wasn't fun anymore.