NEED ADVICE FOR A DUCK POND

[BantamMom13720]

I have Pekin ducks, and am making a small pond for them to play in. Thought I had it done this weekend, I used 12mm thick plastic liner, but it sprung a leak from their little nails- it just slit it and drained the pool.

Has anyone built a pond? ANd if so, what would you suggest for liner? The sides are fairly gradual so theoretically they should be able to walk out without needing to use their nails on it.

I've thought about concreting it and sealing it, but wow, that's so much more involved I think!

HELP!!!

 

[dickiebird]

We have Pekins and Malards and have always used kiddie pools or plastic sand boxes. They are just set on top of the ground and filled with water.

 

[Frosty]

Have you considered just using a kiddie pool? The reason I ask is because if you are making a small pool, you need to have a way to drain it easily (besides the way that they drained it). Ducks will mess up the water FAST and a small pool will likely need cleaned daily. I am in the planning stage of a pond, but am still researching filtration systems (funny how much info isn't there on that! They only talk about how to keep ducks out of the pond...) Currently I am just using a kiddie pool, it works.

 

[SueNH]

I just use a couple of small kiddie pools too. I thought about a larger one but because of the mess went for one I can dump easily myself.

Even cleaning it daily there is such a layer of mud and poo on the bottom that I can't imagine anything but a really big and expensive filter handling it. Much easier to dump it and give the grass a boost.

 

[BantamMom13720]

Yup, that's what I have been doing. They have a little trouble getting in and out though... I built steps with cinder blocks, and they haven't quite got the hang of using them.

I bought a fairly large filter to TRY to keep it clean, because they are such slobs...lol. Maybe I'll just stick with the kiddie pools after all.

Thanks!

 

[DuckyBoys]

I think you really would need more of a sump pump type of thing, something designed to handle solid waste.

I long for a pond as well - but many years down the road most likely. It is a huge project.

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

We also have a kiddy pool for our ducks. The geese, chickens, peacocks and guinea's also use it....

In the front yard I have 2 large metal stock tanks that I use for fish ponds. The ducks and geese also use these to swim in. We have rocks and flowers all around it so you can't see the stock tanks. They both have drain knobs/plugs for easy draining/cleaning. The birds walk up along the rocks and what not and go into the water...
You could also use the black plastic stock tanks and maybe set into the ground a little if you don't want it up so high...

Just a few suggestions..
Shawna

 

[Bi0sC0mp]

not sure how many ducks you have but they do sell Preformed Lawn Ponds not real big but nice for a few ducks

 

[Guitartists]

We used an old waterbed mattress... cut so it would be wide instead of long. The fish and frogs have lived just fine in it, and plants too, this is our second year with it.... edited to add.... the matress held up to our dog always getting up on it, even when changing sheets... so I reckon it could withstand some ducks

People often trash them as they are no longer "cool" lol

 

[Guitartists]

Oh, and on concrete ponds, if done right they last a LONG time! But if you wing it,
they will often end up cracking

My uncle tried winging it once