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Duck ponds are more than just water features, they’re small ecosystems full of life. Whether you want a pond for your backyard, stormwater retention, flood control, or just a pretty, nature-centered pond, this guide will help you create and care for a perfect home for ducks.
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A duck pond generally refers to a small, shallow water area designed for ducks to swim, rest, and feed. It’s also a home for other animals and plants that make the area lively and beautiful. If constructed and maintained well, duck ponds (or wildlife scrapes as they are sometimes called) will be homes or stop-overs for a plethora of wildlife. If you want to raise ducks for food, eggs or feathery companionship, this guide will help you get started.
Supports Wildlife: Attracts ducks, frogs, fish, insects & animals of all shapes and sizes
Adds Beauty: Makes your backyard or park look peaceful and lovely.
Relaxing to Watch: Attracting native wildlife is awesome…
Educational: Want to inspire a bit of wonder and interest in the youth of your household? Seeing abundant wildlife is a great way to plant a seed of interest in kids.
They give animals a place to live/feed / reproduce
They purify water by filtering sediment and pollutants.
They help plants and animals grow by supporting biodiversity.
Pick a Spot:
Choose a place with both sun and shade.
Make sure it’s away from loud or busy areas.
Dig the Pond:
Have a plan for an overflow, nobody wants their duck pond flooding into the basement every time it rains…
The pond should be 2–4 feet deep in some areas for ducks to swim.
Be sure to leave a section of the pond easy to access for the ducks (and other creatures). A gentle slope out to a foot or 2 of depth is perfect for foraging ducks and other waterfowl.
Create a path for pond overflow.
Line the Pond:
Use a pond liner to hold the water.
If you are blessed with a high water table, be sure to design in the actual water elevation allowing for periods of low and high water periods.
Add Water and Habitat:
Maintain water level using a float switch or timed use of your water source
Adding clean, fresh water daily will help keep water quality good and hold down water temperatures.
Be sure to protect your plants until they are established. Ducks and most other pond visitors will want to eat them.
Fill with fresh water.
Add rocks (rip rap), aquatic plants, and platforms for resting.
Shallow Edge: Easy for ducks to enter and exit.
Shelters: Bushes or small islands for safety.
Water Movement: A pump or aerator to keep water fresh.
The more water movement, the better your water quality will be.
Liners are available in a multitude of sizes – the liner will be a significant proportion of your overall budget for this project.
Plan ahead: make sure the pond is the correct size for the number of animals under your care
Create aesthetically pleasing borders with rocks and logs from your yard or neighborhood..
Make DIY platforms with wood and/or hard foamboard.
Remove leaves, sticks, and waste.
Check water filters if you’re using them.
Make sure the water doesn’t smell bad or look dirty.
ADD MORE WATER! This is critical for water quality and ease of maintenance.
Add plants like lilies to compete with algae and other unwelcome nuisances.
Use pond aerators to keep water moving and fresh.
Spring: Remove old leaves and get the pond ready for new plants.
Winter: Use a de-icer to keep part of the pond from freezing. Ducks can handle some pretty cold temperatures with one caveat – They MUST have open water, most waterfowl will not survive long without open water during cold periods.
(watersapeunlimited.com)
Mallards: Popular and easy-going duck
(birdnote.org)
Pekins: White ducks are often seen on farms.
(farmhouseguide.com)
Muscovy / Turkey Duck: Odd-looking large breed, another farmyard favorite.
(allaboutbirds.org)
Cracked corn, oats, rice, and duck pellets.
Just like the rest of us – overfeeding is bad. Keep your duck friends happy without contributing to avian obesity
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Add fencing to keep out predators like raccoons.
Plant bushes or tall grass for hiding and nesting.
Keep your pond clean and quiet.
Add plants and food sources like duckweed or grain.
SPECIAL NOTE: The more diverse your habitat, the more wildlife you’ll attract. A plethora of plantlife will be great for your chosen ducks, and a more attractive place to visit for any passersby that want to drop in. Ducks are opportunistic feeders, they’ll eat just about anything that can fit in their mouth – Plants, bugs, amphibians, whatever comes within reach is fair game for these tiny dinosaurs.
Duckweed: Ducks love it.
Arrowhead / Duck Potato: arrowhead-shaped leaves with a nutritious tuber.
Rushes: Various species – provides cover, food and nesting material
Wigeon grass: Food and cover
Water Lilies: Add beauty and keep water cool.
They clean the water naturally.
They give ducks food and a place to rest.
They attract insects for ducks to eat.
Ducks eat duckweed, but too much can take over the pond.
Use a skimmer to remove extra duckweed.
Yes, ducks and fish( game fish, koi, or goldfish) can share a pond. Just make sure the pond is big enough.
Native habitat is always a good idea. Creating an aquatic haven in your yard for many species to enjoy.
Ponds store rainwater / prevent or mitigate flooding.
Created wetlands help filter stormwater and create oases during dry periods.
Ducks make ponds messy. Use filters and clean regularly.
Raccoons, foxes, and snakes can harm ducks. Fencing helps.
Check local laws before building a pond.
Duck ponds are easy to enjoy and good for nature. Whether you’re building a simple backyard pond or creating a space for the community, this guide has all you need. Add some plants, keep the water clean, and let the ducks have fun!
