Water play for backyard Pekins?

[farmgirlsomeday]

My 2 month Pekin (being raised by a very maternal Silkie chicken hen) is suddenly all about hanging out in the water dish. So I know I need to provide her with some kind of small body of water that she can play in. What do those of you with backyard ducks recommend for this? It needs to be something I can empty frequently and relatively easily because I know it will get nasty, fast, and it also needs to be something she can get into and out of without much trouble. A plastic toddler pool seems like it could work but would I need to stack some stones or bricks to make steps for her to get in and out? How often do those of you with Pekins notice your ducks hanging out/playing in the water that you provide? Thanks!

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I use a small kids pool. they are cheap and easy to dump and refill. Good luck.

 

[farmgirlsomeday]

@SD Bird Lady - thanks for the feedback; do your ducks have any trouble getting in and out the sides of a plastic pool of that type?

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[ellieuki]

Hey - Have a pair - Drake Pekin and Crested Hen - They spend about 75% of the day in the water and if they could would probably sleep in their pool ... Cleaning it out is really important - before my current set-up - I would have to empty it every other day because it got pretty nasty. I spent a lot of time cleaning it (I can't just dump - I have to pump- given their run setup) and it was annoying for them and me so I dug into my pocket. With some trial and error, I found a system that has worked pretty well for us.

-- Here is what we have --
* 6 foot diameter Kiddie pool from ToysRus-- Appx $10
* Pond master 700 gph Pump - Appx $70
* Fish Mate 1000G-Bio Gravity Bio Pond Filter - Appx $50
* 1-inch by 5 feet pond Tube - Appx $5
* Pool Leaf Skimmer (Head Only) - Appx $5
* Wood/Log/Pot - Something to place the Filter on - Appx $0-$5
Total Amount - $145

You can find a less expensive pump - Most of the money is on the pump and filter but honestly it's worth every cent to me - the water stays clear and lovely - I just skim it every day and about once a week I will bleach it/scrub it/pump it out and refill it - It can go two weeks but - I use it as an excuse to be in there with them

~~ Oh The pool leaf skimmer under the filter is critical - can't emphasize more!

-- As for steps to get in -- over time the pool has sunk into the gravel (very much a blessing). I have about six feet of gravel up around the pool which is "11 inches deep" but has buckled down to about 9 inches or so. My crested flies/hops in and out onto her little ramp and my Pekin does this hop into the ledge of the pool and comes out. PROIR to that it was hard for my Pekin - I had to put bricks inside the pool (don't recommend during mating season) and built that little ramp(put a rubber mat under so it stayed in place) which he never used, instead he threw himself over the side onto the rocks, yup that's my Howie. If you google "Duck Pools" "Duck Ramps" - etc. you can get a visual idea of something.


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Hope this helped!!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

I do pans pools and sometimes the sprinkler.

 

[farmgirlsomeday]

Love the idea of the pool sunk into the gravel