Pond size for my cayugas?

[Bring]

I have a breeding pair of cayugas. I really want to build them a nice pond. Any suggestions on how big and how deep it should be? What kind of filtration system there should be?

 

[katharinad]

One thing to keep in mind is that ducks have toe nails. They may puncture the pond liner and you are up with repairs, or at least build something they can get out at. Another question is what else do you want to do with the pond. Do you plan on having fish, plants, etc. Be prepared to deal with algae. I have a large stock pond for feeding lifestock set into the ground. This hardshell made by Rubbermaid will withstand toe nails and even raccoons. This one is stocked with fish and is deep enough to not freeze in winter. We are up in the mountains and it does get very cold up here. Stock tanks are much better then the pond shells they sell. It's deep and you can stand in it too. We do keep the ducks out of it, because their poo with make the algae grow. Plus they hack away the water plants used to keep the sun out and to reduce the algae grows. Don't be shocked to see the equipment prices for filtration either. It can get quite expensive. We did buy a smaller 12" deep stock pond for the ducks. It is just easier to dump it out and refill with water daily. What I will do this year is getting several of them and put plumbing below with opening valve for letting the water run out. I'm just tired of lifting the tanks, which are quite heavy. The parts are really cheap and it will make life so much easier.
Katharina

 

[rgn87]

I have cayugas too and just used a kiddie pool.

 

[bock]

I have always used kiddie pools and sandboxes for my ducks and ducklings.