Cleaning Out the Duck Pond: The Ducks Can't Wait!! 

Exactly!! And one of the Cayugas ended up pushing one in and falling in herself to get the ball rolling! :)

Jasmine Cherie Haha!! I thought of that!! I think Greg said no... we got a pump for it though. And are able to pump it into the gardens, like I wanted to. We are working on a filter system. Will post a video when we build it. Take care!! Stephanie :)

Thank you!! Glad it was helpful!! ❤

Yes!! We ended up using a pump and pumping it into our gardens :)

Kiki Boo I know!! We took the suggestion from Frugal Farmer and got a pump. So now we pump it into the gardens. I hated wasting the water too!! 💔 It only made sense to reuse the water... I'm crazy about composting, reusing stuff, and conserving resources. I just needed to figure out a system that would work. If you ever have any tips or suggestions, please pass them along. We love hearing from people and getting ideas on how to do things better!! Take care :)

Parsley Farm that sounds much better ;) good luck with everything :) regards from te Canarian islands

my system works for 2 ducks, but you could enlarge it to cope with all your ducks. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1XGn-l7N4v8.html

There is way too much nitrogen in duck waste for plants. It would have to be highly diluted.

I never saw this comment!! Absolutely!! 🦆

Thanks!! :)

Good idea!! Maybe I'll try that. Thanks!! In the process of moving. So not sure what the new set up will be :)

Jan Coldwater Great idea! Thanks! :)

Lizleigh Hamilton we are going to redo our pond come spring!! Thanks for the idea :)

Lee Taylor I want to do the filter system you mention. Do you have a video of it?? I'm not sure of the logistics in our space. Would love to hear more about your system!! :)

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1XGn-l7N4v8.html

Lee Taylor Thanks!!

I also have an update video... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Yr1bZe-L0Yg.html let me know if you have any questions when you plan to build it. :)

Lee Taylor That's great!! And it would add some nice green to their pen. I was thinking of some planters. But your system would be even better!! Thanks so much for the link to your video!! Do you have freezing winters where you are? And if so, how does your system do over the winter... We are looking for ideas on that too!! Thanks again :)

Yeah. The vegetables especially loved it!! :)

Well...... under the mud is gravel and stone...... haha!! :)

Ok have you tried a thick layer of sand?

@@dallasnewlun1010 yeah. We tried putting down straw every few days too. That did the best. But we actually ended up shutting down the pond and run to let that side of the yard rest. We made a new run in a different area and just gave them a kiddie pool as a temporary solution. It will all need to be revamped come spring :)

Have you trying leveling the yard out around the "pond" area or possible building a small deck or dock so the ducks arent on the ground and in mud right before hopping into the "pond". Just another option.

@@dallasnewlun1010 good idea. Do you have ducks? Haha! I ask because mud is not totally the problem. Its their poop!! They are pooping machines! (I should say eating AND pooping machines!!) So, unfortunately whatever we do will turn into a crap factory! We had another big water bowl on a wooden pallet (up on cement blocks) and even though we powerwashed the area, you can't even tell there was a pallet there!! Haha!!

jimster1111 Definitely!! Thanks! :)

We actually want to make a filtration system... its a work in progress!! :)

Thats good to hear

Tractor Supply... I found one with a dent, asked for a discount, and they gave it to me :)

@@ParsleyFarm thankyou! And score on the deal!

Frugal Farmer Channel, I had to... I was trying to beat the storms. Haha!! ;)

Haha!! They are just messy animals, I think!! :)

Pat Fernandez I actually had peastone and bricks around it and they just mudded that up too :)

6ft in diameter :)

Yes, that is what we are going to try. Thanks!

Tractor Supply... a local farm supply store should have something like it. I found a dented one and got it at a discount :)

So far, no. Its been quite a few years, no rust :)

James Wjo we will look into Muscovy ducks!! Are they good layers? Our brown and white ducks average 300+/yr. They are early in laying. So we are actually getting more than one per day from some of them!! I didn't think that was possible. But I guess it can happen when they are new layers. Who knew!! After learning how much work ducks can be, Greg didn't want any more. But the demand for their eggs is making him reconsider... thanks for the recommendation!! 😉

Hi Parsley Farm, thanks for getting back on my reply!! All other ducks lay more eggs then the Muscovies in numbers, but yes they are good layers. There are some good points about them that I like, they are great sitters and raise their own young no need for incubation, they are much quieter then all other ducks and very gentle and fond of humans. They dont require near as much water, Ive had 5 of my ducks cram into the washing tub it hold about 3 gal. of water. The Muscovies are more of a land duck then a water duck hehe does that make sense sounds kind of funny, there eggs are big and very good taste, the main point is if U like a meat duck they can reach 6/7 kg. at adult hood or around 14/15 lbs. in the drake. Their meat is the finest out side of a wild Mallard, which is considered the best tasting duck in the world, if U like steak from a cow, muscovies meat is all dark and very tender like a expensive cut of meat, they grow fast, harvesting 3/4 months at about 2/3 lbs. They are great foragers and will keep the flies at bay around the coop, one last point they dont require big space to live, mine are keeped in a mother earth coop 10ft. x 12ft. and do very well, like all animals they require a good diet from man if kept in a coop. Thanks I hope this helps U, just my preference in style. Jim

James Wjo I actually did a little research on them yesterday, after your recommendation. I love our noisy ducks. But my neighbors probably don't!! Muscovies sound like they would be a good fit!! My only concern is our winters. I read they are somewhat hardy... but definitely better in heat than cold. All the other things you point out, sound great. I will just need to see if our winters will be an issue for them. Thanks again, Stephanie :)

Thank U for Ur time and good luck in what ever U do!!! Jim

James Wjo thank you for your tips and information!! We appreciate it 😊

Justin Richie that would make it a little easier ;)

These tanks come with the drain on the side. If you put a gravel base under the tank with the drain sloped downhill, these tanks drain much easier.

Frank & Carrie's Homestead We are actually planning on moving the animals (including the ducks). And we are thinking about using an old boat as their pond. You will have to put a video up of your pond and let us know how it works out. We want to do some sort of reed filtration system... will see if we can get to it!! Our "to-do" list is about a mile long!! Haha!! :)

I know the feeling, Spring is here and allot of thing to get done. I'm thinking of putting a tub drain in mine with a shut off valve.

Frank & Carrie's Homestead there was quite a bit of feedback and comments on this video... some ideas better than others. Skim through, if you want. It may help you with your design. But a drain on the bottom would be good!! :)

Thank you

Daniel Freeman Yes :)

We ended up getting a pump and pumping it into the gardens each week. :)

I am trying to figure out what I am going to do. With my 6 ducks. Working on a pond or pool. Not sure what to do...

@@JacquelineJaroffaith This would work well for just 6. You could do a filtration system. Or just reuse the water in your garden. Either way it will be easier with 6. Good luck!! If you scroll through the comments, I think someone put a link to their page with a filtration system that we were thinking of recreating for our "pond". We still might revamp things in the future :)

@@JacquelineJaroffaith Look at Lee Taylor's comments. He had a nice system :)

Robin Beardsley, lot's of it, Fin! ;)

Home In The Sticks Ed (The Frugal Farmer) is awesome!! I will definitely check out your channel!! Thanks for the feedback. :)

👍👍👍

OkieRob, Good to know!! My mom has that too! Thanks for the feedback :)