Ducks and water go hand in hand and they do enjoy a good swim. Although most farms don’t have the space for a large pond ,try to fit in as much of a water area as your space allows. The more water you give them the happier and cleaner they will be. The plastic trough pits are a good enough size to have a swim in and if you allow one of these for every three birds they’ll always be able to get into the water to have a play and a clean.
If limited on space go for the smaller breeds or runner ducks who require less water to splash around than breeds that really like a paddling pool to themselves . Easy fit ponds kits can also work for you as a farmer. Also remember that ducks can cause punctures and rip pond linings so repair kits are a must, or use the solid plastic ponds that don’t burst.Here are water pond insights for duck farmers;
Clean Water is Important
Ducks love fresh water but they dirty it up pretty quickly. By changing the water daily you make sure that there is nothing nasty lurking in the water and it helps keep your ducks nice and clean. Make sure you have an outside tap and hosepipe as otherwise a ten minute job can take an hour.
Cold and rainy season care
During cold season, the area around the ponds or pools will get very muddy. This along with rain can lead to a very slippery area. Try some wood bark or even gravel around the area to allow the water to drain down. The ducks won’t mind the mud, in fact they will enjoy it as they can dib their beaks and pull out worms. This can make a mess of the farm site so make sure you don’t mind the area becoming muddy over this season.
Mating in the Pond
Something to remember is that mating is usually carried out on water and if you want fertilized eggs to hatch you need to make sure the ducks have the area to swim on to fertilize the eggs for you. They also prefer to mate in clean fresh water .Deeper ponds are better for this, and it is worth planning in a proper pond if you are planning on breeding in the future.
Ducks love water and at the end of the day,as a farmer you should be able to provide them with it. A farmer always takes care of his animals regardless.
