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Thanks very much Oregon Blues...very helpful post. Since I have 8 chickens I don't really need more eggs, but wouldn't turn them down. Thanks for all the input on breeds which is usually more difficult. I plan to fence in the area with welded wire, maybe electric. I do have a swimming pool relatively close by which is a concern. I have never had a problem with critters in or around it (except mice and frogs). I keep a solar cover on when not in use. My concern is the birds might prefer the pool over the pond. Thanks again, big help.
At this point I am mostly interested in making the space usable (versus just wet woods) and tick/bug control. I have loads of ticks and since I have two dogs it is an issue. The chickens are relatively confined to an area so they can't get all of the bugs, so I was thinking a duck or something that can get over the fence to graze might also help with bugs.
I should also state that I am interested in livestock (small goats at the moment) as well as keeping bees. I would have the livestock share the pond space and have perhaps up to three accessible paddocks (all relatively small - I only have 3 acres total and about half is back in this area we are discussing). I plan to keep the bees further back on the property - more remote in the woods, mainly to keep them away from the animals and humans, but perhaps still within a fenced paddock area to share security.
About 3/4 acre just south (but uphill) to the pond is wetland - the ground is usually wet and draining (high water table - clay soil). Not sure if this is usable for the ducks/geese, nor any livestock. Part of this area does drain into the pond but the pond overall drains into this wetland. (think uphill wetland drains into pond that then overflows downhill back into the lower area).
Having year round waterfowl to keep bugs in check, make use of the property, perhaps add a slight warning to predators (making noise) would be nice. Hope I am making sense.
At this point I am mostly interested in making the space usable (versus just wet woods) and tick/bug control. I have loads of ticks and since I have two dogs it is an issue. The chickens are relatively confined to an area so they can't get all of the bugs, so I was thinking a duck or something that can get over the fence to graze might also help with bugs.
I should also state that I am interested in livestock (small goats at the moment) as well as keeping bees. I would have the livestock share the pond space and have perhaps up to three accessible paddocks (all relatively small - I only have 3 acres total and about half is back in this area we are discussing). I plan to keep the bees further back on the property - more remote in the woods, mainly to keep them away from the animals and humans, but perhaps still within a fenced paddock area to share security.
About 3/4 acre just south (but uphill) to the pond is wetland - the ground is usually wet and draining (high water table - clay soil). Not sure if this is usable for the ducks/geese, nor any livestock. Part of this area does drain into the pond but the pond overall drains into this wetland. (think uphill wetland drains into pond that then overflows downhill back into the lower area).
Having year round waterfowl to keep bugs in check, make use of the property, perhaps add a slight warning to predators (making noise) would be nice. Hope I am making sense.
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