What size pond for 20 Ducks?

[FenrisMau]

Right now we just have 4 ducks and 2 geese... I'm not getting any more until we build a water feature for them. We have a sand filter and a pump for the work. But, we aren't sure of what size or depth of a pond to have for 20 ducks and 2 geese. Any recommendations in terms of gallons, etc?

 

[Evadig]

Hi @FenrisMau

I don't have that many ducks, but I'm guessing you will need at least 200-250 gallons, give or take a few.
I use kiddie pools for my 6 ducks and I know that one duck fits comfortably in about 25-30 gallons of water. A goose preferred about 50 gallons.
The pond should be at least two feet deep, preferably three, in the deepest part and it appears that ducks especially like contoured edges. Each duck should have about 4 sq. ft of surface area; a goose should have about 6 sq. of surface area.

This measurements are based off my observations of my own waterfowl, so it may be somewhat different for yours . Hope this helps!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I use one of those plastic pools you can get at petsmart or Walmart for like 20 bucks. Have to dump it almost every day after they go to bed, bit the size works well for breeding and youngsters to get in and out of. They just have to take turns since only 3 or 4 can fit at most

 

[JacinLarkwell]

For the calls, I have one of those shallow plastic totes I dump and refill every other day to use.

 

[Jenbirdee]

i also use kiddie pools too i rinse and refill every day sometimes twice a day in summer . ducks will be happy in any size pond they will have fun make it as big as you want to .

 

[FenrisMau]

I do have two small pools for them now, we dump them out twice daily. Its just a chore every day, so we will have a setup for them in the future

 

[FenrisMau]

Hi @FenrisMau

I don't have that many ducks, but I'm guessing you will need at least 200-250 gallons, give or take a few.
I use kiddie pools for my 6 ducks and I know that one duck fits comfortably in about 25-30 gallons of water. A goose preferred about 50 gallons.
The pond should be at least two feet deep, preferably three, in the deepest part and it appears that ducks especially like contoured edges. Each duck should have about 4 sq. ft of surface area; a goose should have about 6 sq. of surface area.

This measurements are based off my observations of my own waterfowl, so it may be somewhat different for yours . Hope this helps!

Thanks sooo much! This helps alot.

 

[telandra2]

250 gallons I way too small. I had 15 ducks and 4 geese last year and my 10ft round, 2.5ft deep above ground pool (dug into the ground) was always a mess. Feathers, poop, dunked billfulls of mud, etc.

Be sure to add a surface skimmer for all the feathers. My current pump is getting clogged multiple times a day with the fall moult.

I replaced the pool filter with a bigger, not sand, filter. Then recently replaced that with a 2500gph pond filter and pump rated to handle silt. It's still a work in progress. And still a brown mess.

I'd like to add some sort of bog filter they won't immediately dig up and eat.

Be sure to add spots they can stand in for bathing -- they love shallows. And deep spots for diving because it entertaining.

 

[FenrisMau]

250 gallons I way too small. I had 15 ducks and 4 geese last year and my 10ft round, 2.5ft deep above ground pool (dug into the ground) was always a mess. Feathers, poop, dunked billfulls of mud, etc.

Be sure to add a surface skimmer for all the feathers. My current pump is getting clogged multiple times a day with the fall moult.

I replaced the pool filter with a bigger, not sand, filter. Then recently replaced that with a 2500gph pond filter and pump rated to handle silt. It's still a work in progress. And still a brown mess.

I'd like to add some sort of bog filter they won't immediately dig up and eat.

Be sure to add spots they can stand in for bathing -- they love shallows. And deep spots for diving because it entertaining.

Very educational, thank you!