How big of apond for 2 ducks?

[Anny]

I want to build an in ground pond for my ducks. I plan on having the pond on the OUTSIDE of their pen, and they will have play time in the pond. I'm hoping this will keep the pond from becoming a complete mess. They will have a small pool to play with in the pen.

How many gallons or what size of a pond would be good for two ducks. I have enough room to make it pretty large (but I will be digging this out by hand/shovel so now to large)

Also what type of filtration works best for ducks? I know they need alot of it. Anybody have good luck with a certain brand or anything?

This is my first inground pond ever so I'm very new.

Also what plants are ducks more likely not to eat that would be around the pond?

Do ducks mind water falls?

 

[RavenStorm]

I'm not sure about size, but just know that the bigger you make it the less frequently you will have to clean it (I think). Here is a link to a really well-researched pond projects witha great filtration system that Wifezilla came up with. Hopefully, she'll come on her and let you know how her system is holding up.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=146829&p=1

 

[cawooduck]

Dont do it!!!!LOL My first pond was an inground pond, it looked nice with logs around it, a large tree branch spanning it, crystal clear water..............until i added ducks to it!!! They are pooping machines and will dirty the water very quickly, which will create a lot of work for you!! The ducks dont care if you build a large inground swimming pool or if you just give them a kiddie pool with a ramp in and out of it, as long as they can swim, breed and clean themselves in it!!! Just remember, the more labor intensive it is to keep up on a project, the easier it is to lose interest. The easier it is to keep up on a project leaves you with more time to enjoy it! Trust me!!!..............Jason

 

[Wifezilla]

My pond only needs occasional sediment removal...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=146829&p=1

Oh...and a pool skimmer to get rid of shed feathers is also a good idea

 

[PamsPride]

I use a kids turtle sand box for my ducks...easy to clean and dump.

 

[Bec]

They will definitely make a mess out of a pond very quickly. my DH just cleaned our koi pond yesterday, they pump and filter was so filled up with duck poop that it stopped running...we have 1 duck and 1 goose that get in there. He just cleaned it a month ago because of the same problem. We will be putting net over it so they can't get in, they have 3 natural ponds to swim in!!

You would be better off with a kiddie pool, you can just dump it out everyday and make it nice a clean for them....they do drink the water. Therefore if they have a pond that isn't clean, they will be drinking poopy water!!

They don't know the difference!

 

[debilorrah]

We are digging a hole and putting the kiddie pool in that - we get very high winds here and it would easily be picked up and slammed down again if not in the ground.