My ducks and my pond

[brood mother]

My husband is insistant that our 4 Swedish ducks will b happier living at our pond. I do agree that them having free access to the pond would b great for them. They are going outside. They are 2.5 months and its time! We have a house structure for them to sleep in an get in to get out of the elements. My concern is when to feed them each day? Do I feed just once a day? Also, if they have access to the pond all th time do I need to keep water out for them too?

 

[Amiga]

They might indeed be pretty happy living on the pond.

But I doubt they would be okay for very long because predators like to go to ponds to find sleeping ducks.

Presenting them with a shelter will not encourage them to use it.

How will you keep raccoons or other predators out of the shelter?

 

[brood mother]

Going to build wire enclosure around the house that extends out into the pond so it encourages them to go into the house to sleep at night. It is quite a large dog house that my husband had built so plenty of room. I also have considered putting a wire door on the dog house. The house is very sturdy and secure, so if I could close them up in it at nigjt to sleep then I'd feel better. Then could let them out each morning to free range around the pond.

 

[Going Quackers]

If your going to fence an area off i would put the feed in it.. eating ducks are sitting ducks, and i would most definitely lock them up at night.. some preds swim resulting in quite the concern overnight.

 

[brood mother]

What I may do is build a wood and wire door to put on front of house so I can lock it up at night and keep a water container inside, and then feed them in the evening inside it when I lock them up. At their age, do they need to just eat their feed once a day? They are about 2.5 months.