Natural Duck Habitat

[DawnSuiter]

Hi,
I've been planning on getting a couple of ducks for a while now, maybe 3 at most. I'm in the planning stages for their habitat now. I call it that because that is how I want it to look. They are going to live in part of my "Secret Garden" an area behind my house with the hot tub, outdoor shower etc... and I want their habitat to appear as natural as possible.

The hillside is a bit sloped, and I want to terrace it off in 3 stages.. top level for the housing, 2nd level with a pool, 3rd level with a pool. In general the pools will drain into a trench which will distribute the water, outside of their pen, evenly throughout our "dry river bed" which is lined with decorative plantings and Japanese maples.

I'd love to hear your ideas and your experiences..

Oh.. I'm planning on bantams.. the sloped area is irregularly shaped... 20' across the back... around maybe 10 feet across the front.. about 10 feet deep too.. something like this...
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it backs up against the wooded hillside.

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
Sounds good. Hot tub has a cover I hope. finding the right plants to make it look natural and stand up to the ducks will be the biggest problem.

 

[DawnSuiter]

Oh, I'm sorry, I failed to mention that the entire area will be enclosed with wire fencing. That's hardly decorative I suppose.. but we'll make it pretty too I'm sure.

I would like to plant inside the habitat so yes, any plant that can hold up to mostly shade & a couple of small ducks.. perhaps a decorative grass?

 

[goosedragon]

Quote:
My ducks loved Palmas (sp) grass It grows out from the outer edges and dies in the center which makes a great place to hide or to have a nest.