The Duck's New Pool

[cheryl026]

Hi missy60
I have tried to dig a hole but the ground is really hard unbreakable,

....any suggestions would be great

 

[OldGuy43]

Hi missy60
I have tried to dig a hole but the ground is really hard unbreakable,

....any suggestions would be great

I was going to cover this when I did the MyPage special on installing the tank but...



That's:

1. A layer of asphalt 1-3" thick.
2. 15-18" of low grade limestone.
3. Caliche (also known as hardpan) under that.

At 69 years of age with emphysema and a heart condition in 90° temps it wasn't easy, but you can git-'er-done.

Get a small full handled maddock


and go to it. So what if you don't get it all done in one day. Just loosen the soil and scoop it out with a flat shovel.

 

[LilyAshley11]

Cool!

 

[OldGuy43]

Cool!

Thank you.

 

[LilyAshley11]

Thank you.

you're welcome!

 

[Amiga]

Yow, caliche, most folks here in New England don't know about that. Our soils tend to the stony and acid, except where there are limestone deposits.

Indeed, inch by inch, row by row, chunk by chunk, stone by stone, things can get done even by those of us who are not of Herculean strength or proportions (said the dumpy middle aged woman).

 

[Missy60]

Hi missy60
I have tried to dig a hole but the ground is really hard unbreakable,  ....any suggestions would be great 

You could build a ramp, some people can get their ducks to use them. I tried using a few big flat rocks to help them get in, but they don't use them very much. If the sides are not very high I have come to realize with ducks if there's a will there's a way. Mine just hop over the sides when they want in. I seen some one on here build a platform and put the pool in and fill the sides up with sand and pea gravels. It was a very nice set up to, it was just like the ducks had a little deck of their own.

 

[OldGuy43]

Quote:
What you do need to insure is that they can get out again. When mine were smaller one drowned in the pool when it couldn't get out.

 

[LydiaB]

I used bricks to make steps inside and outside the pool. My bigger MSA hops over the side, though. He is only 5 weeks old. Some of the ducks have not figured out how to get in. But if I put them in, they get back out by themselves. I don't put them in and leave them, I watch to make sure they get out again. I had to lock the duckling up yesterday morning, and when we got back home I opened the door and Big S (mini silver appleyard) was in the pool in about 5 seconds.