I often wonder if people who dig ponds have irrigation through an open ditch water system. I have never seen a thread that anyone else has ever incorporated a ditch in their pen. If you have open ditch (not round pipe that goes through the property) I highly suggest making use of it. I have incorporated 25ft of open ditch in my duck pen (irrigation runs from mid April to mid October), so that I don't have to deal with a pond/filtration/cleaning, etc. I placed river rocks on both sides of it to keep the menaces from digging 
Because of this irrigation ditch, I literally have never cleaned my duck pen other than spraying their poop into the grass (great fertilizer) in their area 2-3 times a week to make sure my pen never smells. It's almost like I don't have my 8 ducks for 6 months out of the year because I have zero upkeep with them due to the ditch. I use kiddie pools in the winter (strategically placed over the ditch) with a drain in the bottom that goes right into my ditch for easy cleaning and draining with zero mess. I have attached a picture of part of the ditch to show anyone interested what it looks. My ducks love their ditch.
Because of this irrigation ditch, I literally have never cleaned my duck pen other than spraying their poop into the grass (great fertilizer) in their area 2-3 times a week to make sure my pen never smells. It's almost like I don't have my 8 ducks for 6 months out of the year because I have zero upkeep with them due to the ditch. I use kiddie pools in the winter (strategically placed over the ditch) with a drain in the bottom that goes right into my ditch for easy cleaning and draining with zero mess. I have attached a picture of part of the ditch to show anyone interested what it looks. My ducks love their ditch.
