Question on pools

[annie3001]

Hello.
I was thinking about making the water situation better for my ducks.
They have a pool (kids baby kind). I change the water when its brown and dirty. alot of work. sort of. I have to tip it and fill it up again. using a hose.
i wondered if i left i didnt change the water, is that safe.
I was thinking this, because if i had an actual pond, the ducks would be in that right? people dont usually drain their ponds. so i was thinking on getting a slightly bigger pool, digging up the dirt, inserting the pool. that way the ducks can just sort of glide into their pool. i hope what i am saying is making sense. Could i leave the pool water and just add more water, when it gets low? Without having to tip it over etc.?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Actually ponds for water fowl as big as 30 feet wide should really have some running water through them and/or a filter and /or be drained regularly. It sounds like most folks go with the tipping and filling the kiddie pool. I know they get it mucky pretty fast, but reasonably clean water is an important part of duck grooming and keeping their nose and eyes clear.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

You will still need to clean it somehow. If you dig a hole then you need to add a drain to the pool or be ready to bail with a bucket until you can lift and dump to rince and refil.

 

[Going Quackers]

YOu could flood it... run the hose till the water all overflows.. it will eventually come clean(well, cleaner) that way but that kinda wastes water... especially if your paying for it. I'm on a well, so i just dump the pools every two days or so... the smaller pools i tend to dump more often.. sure i don't deny it's work lol but it's just part of owning ducks i figure...

 

[annie3001]

okay... guess i am doing the dump pool method..... they sure get it dirty tho! lol
Its so awesome when my ducks are fresh water, they swim like they have made it to heaven!

Thanks for your replys, confirms that i am just going to keep doing what im doing. lol

 

[ChickInDelight]

I have trouble dumping my pools too. I step on the sides of my bigger pool, and it is apt to break when it gets really cold.

I am considering cutting a round hole in or near the bottom and inserting a rubber sink stopper.

Also remember that ponds have lots of plant and animal life that remove / convert waste.

 

[dianaross77]

Up until now, I've been using a small wading pool made for dogs and a concrete mixing tub for my ducks. Yesterday I dropped a 4x4 post on the mixing tub and smashed it. The pool and tub both have the same problem, they are brittle and crack easily. I went and got this 40 gallon stock tank to replace them with. http://www.tractorsupply.com/livest...products-heavy-duty-oval-tank-40-gal--2229846 It's made of rubber so it should be easier to dump and at some point I'll install a drain plug near the bottom. That's where most of the gunk ends up anyway. I figure I can drain the bottom 1/3 of the water and top it off a few times before needing to dump and rinse it. TSC also carries a 50 gallon rubbermaid with a drain plug that sits low to the ground but I didn't feel like it was worth spending $40 more on it.

 

[Going Quackers]

Can you find any of the old heavy duty plastic pools that have drain plugs? I have a sandbox/pool leftover from my kids that is one of their pools.. it has a drain plug...

(not mine just found a pic online but i have the same one)

 

[annie3001]

where would you get a drain plug? are they similar to the kitchen kind?

 

[dianaross77]

Quote:
I've seen some people use regular bathtub drains but I don't know how they did it. TSC carries stock tank drain plugs.