koi pond + ducks = yuck :(

[Kacey52]

I'm looking for some advice about what I should do with my ducks. I had a beautiful koi/goldfish pond that had blooming lilies, iris's, hyacinths etc. This is my first spring with the ducks being full grown and the pond is gross. It's green, it smells terrible, none of my plants are growing, the ducks ate them all. I did a 95% water change and got in the pond and scooped out 'stuff' and it's still bad. I had 3 large butterfly koi and a few smaller ones and they've all died. I didn't realize the ducks would be so detrimental to my pond So, I have two ideas and I'm wondering which one you all think is better, or if you have another idea. I could get a greenhouse for over my pond to keep the ducks out. The greenhouse would also allow my plants to grow longer into the season and keep the pond cleaner by keeping leaves, sticks etc from falling in there, but it would be pretty tight around the pond for maintenance and viewing. If I did this I would provide the ducks with a kiddie pool/smaller pond for them to swim, drink etc. My other idea is too extend their coop and keep them caged. Right now they only get put in their coop/pen at night. They are fully flighted mallards and get the full run of my yard all day. If they were kept caged I would of course provide them with their own pool. We don't want to do TOO much work because there is the possibility of us moving although it's not going very well. If/when we do move we would just take whatever set up we have with us, whether we go with the coop or greenhouse. My absolute last resort would be to rehome them. Thank you so much to anyone that can help!!

 

[polarbearpilot]

Hi, I think the last two options are better because they are easier and less work:
--extending the coop/run and providing a kiddie pool and keep them caged. Your place will be a lot cleaner and more manageable. If and when you move, perhaps you can give them more space.
--rehoming them and get chickens or other type of birds that don't pollute your pond and kill your fish. There are people who keep ducks and can provide them a more natural and better environment than you can so your ducks will be happier. You might be attached to them, but most likely they are not attached to you, except for food.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[JJRS]

Since the mallards already destroyed the pond why not let them have it until you figure out if you are moving. I would not spend the $ on a pool, greenhouse, and new fish if I was just going to have to move it all.
Waterfowl=water foul.

 

[drachir555]

How many ducks? I have a goldfish pond, and I am thinking of getting 2to Khaki Campbell hens. That might work, if the ecosystem can balance out.

 

[JJRS]

In my experience, ALL ducks I have kept like to at least chew on fish if not eat them all together. If you are not planning on changing the water regularly I hope you have a very big pond.

 

[gardengoats11]

1 duck or 10 ducks on a nicely planted koi pond is pretty on day 1. Each day there after the degree of pretty decreases significantly daily.