Keeping Peking Ducks in a swimming and fishing pond

[quade]

We have a 3/4 acre pond that is well-stocked with fish and also used as a swimming pond for my family. We recently have raised 4 Peking ducks (5 months old) and have been allowing them access to our pond, when I started to think about the amount of duck poop produced and the potential impact on my family and the aquatic life in the pond. So, I'm looking for some guidance regarding whether this is safe for them to be coexisting in our pond with my family and our fish or should I create a separate a separate living and recreation area. Additionally, the ducks once in the pond don't want to come in and need to be herded with a canoe in order to get them secure for the night. We know that this task will become much more difficult in the colder months. Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sourland]

As you already know, ducks poop a lot. I vote for a separate area for your ducks during the summer months. Once summer/swimming activities have stopped they could then have access to the pond.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

Is this a natural or man-made pond? If no skimmer or filters I would limit their access if you are also swimming in it. I let the ducks in our pool from time to time, but I installed 4X the filter required

 

[DenverDucky]

I go to a stocked fishing hole at a campground and there is a pekin who lives on the fishing hole. If you're interested in seeing what I'm talking about, you can check out Wally swimming at the Lone Duck Campground- http://loneduckcamp.com/


Wally meeting my girl Soleil

 

[quade]

it is a large spring-fed excavated pond with only nature's filters in place.

 

[DenverDucky]

What kind of fish are you keeping? I know the one I go to only has trout. Just wondering because I have heard of some of the bigger fish hurting ducks webbies :/

 

[quade]

There are a large variety of fish including: Grass Carp, Striped Bass, Mosquito Fish & Brim.

 

[Jacklyn]

Following. We have a similar set up with a spring fed pond and are considering adding ducks.