How often do you change your duck pool water?

[JNC]

UPDATE: I got a pool today for my ducks. I built them a ramp so they can easily get into the pool.

However they get it dirty so fast! I bought it later this afternoon and it’s already dirty.

Also they aren’t using the ramp! They get in by leaning their body in and then putting their feet on the edge of the pool. and then they get in. And when they get out they have trouble because it’s too high for them so they get out the same wayy the get in but i’m guessing it’s probably not good for their feet.


So how do i get them to use the ramp? And how do you guys keep the pool clean?

 

[Ashmt51]

I change my ducks kiddie pool every night after I get them in their house. I wish I could find a filter or something so o would have to. Currently I have a piece of pallet with a board on top that acts like a deck and they use that to get in the pool. I tried a ramp and they wouldn’t use it

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I change my water every night as well. The water is like miracle grow on plants. I wouldn't worry about them using the ramp, they will figure it out if they want it. I would put a brick or block on the inside of the pool for them to step on to get out.

 

[JNC]

I change my water every night as well. The water is like miracle grow on plants. I wouldn't worry about them using the ramp, they will figure it out if they want it. I would put a brick or block on the inside of the pool for them to step on to get out.

okay this will probably reduce the damage on their feet!

 

[Isaac 0]

@DuckyDonna , has a picture of her kiddie pool setup.

 

[RJKnott]

I change it every morning when I let them out of their coop. I set up some boards as a kind of deck for them and it took them a few days but they finally figured it out

 

[Texag87]

I change mine every three days. Usually it’s dirty before they even get in because they stick their bills in the mud when I dump the pool and then into the pool while I am filling it. I use built up dirt as a ramp for them to get in and bricks for them to step on getting out. The dirt has to be redone every month but I fell this gives them a soft landing getting out. Before I dump the pool I use what I can for the garden. It cuts down on fertilizer requirements.

 

[DuckyDonna]

UPDATE: I got a pool today for my ducks. I built them a ramp so they can easily get into the pool.

However they get it dirty so fast! I bought it later this afternoon and it’s already dirty.

Also they aren’t using the ramp! They get in by leaning their body in and then putting their feet on the edge of the pool. and then they get in. And when they get out they have trouble because it’s too high for them so they get out the same wayy the get in but i’m guessing it’s probably not good for their feet.


So how do i get them to use the ramp? And how do you guys keep the pool clean?View attachment 2212659

View attachment 2212660

this is what I did for my pool and it has kept 100% of the dirt and mud out. Now it's only poop!

I put down landscape cloth in an area around the pool so they can't drill into mud then get into the pool to unload it from their bills. Then I put a pallet down and the pool on top of that. I had a bunch of flat rocks in the yard so I laid those down next and filled in with those little river rock pebbles you can get at Home Depot for about $4 a bag. I only had to use 2 bags for this area.

I also keep their food away from the pool too just so they don't run there for drinking right after eating. I've got 9 ducklings that are 4 weeks old today that use this pool now and they stay in it most of the day so I have to bail and change the water every night but it's very easy to do and the water just goes right out the back of my run.

 

[sierraforest]

We change our water every day or every other day. Rarely have we gone three days. We don't mind though—as others said, it's incredible fertilizer—and we have lots to water so we put the 60 gallons or so to good use. Plus, we have family right around the corner, so we'll take Home Depot buckets of duck water to them in a wagon for their garden.

We dug about 3 inches down to allow the ducks easier access via a ramp. They love doing everything together, side by side or one in front of the other, so the ramp needed to be the length of the tank. They began using it immediately, no problem. The wood is marine grade and the traction is dowels cut in half. The dowels are attached with wood glue and screws from the backside, plus we caulked where they meet the ramp. We stained it all with an exterior stain and support it underneath with concrete blocks. We made everything easily disassembled on purpose, to be able to lift the tank onto its side to hose out completely, potentially change our minds about their set-up in the future, etc.

 

[EdgewaterDucks]

Ha. I have pretty much the same issues. I've got a pond with a waterfall that I change once a week though a rather convoluted process involving a sump pump. But I also have a kiddie pool just like yours and I change the water once a day in the morning. They also enter and exit it by clambering over the rim in a move that looks both ungraceful and probably a little painful. I made a nice ramp, but they never used it. I also placed a cinderblock adjacent to it so they might use it as a step (see below on the left). They walk right around it. So I've given up making their lives easier in that respect, at least.