mrsm_jones Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 We now have 2 runner ducks and would like to get a little pond / paddling pool for them. Any ideas? Photos appreciated. They don't look like they're built for swimming, so it a pond a bad idea, or should it be more of a paddling pool? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Runners aren't as keen on water as some other breeds of ducks but will still like to swim. My mum has a shell shaped sandpit as a pond for her runner ducks and with a little brick up to it they are fine. For my ducks though i have one of those plastic trugs and they absolutely love it and it is so easy to clean. I may invest in an inflatable paddling pool as well as this would also be easy to empty and clean...i am obsessed with keeping it clean and nice to keep away any nasty germs, etc!!! (You wouldn't believe that in this photo this water was clean that afternoon!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Thanks for that Mummy Hen. I did think of the trug idea, but wondered if the runners would be able to get into it with them having their bottoms so close to the floor?? What do you think?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel2390 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi Mrs Jones. I have 2 Aylesbury ducks and I bought them a plastic paddling pool/sandpit that comes in 2 halves the idea being that you put sand in one half and water in the other. The ducks love it and my daughter has also got a paddling pool too! I got it from Argos. At the time they were on special offer at £13 but I think normal price is around £17. They are much easier to keep clean and I am finding I have to change the water once a day at a push every two days. I am struggling to attach photos on this forum.....any advice on how to do it greatly appreciated as I have a great picture of them both in the pond!! Regards & Best wishes Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi my indian runners love the water as much as my other ducks they have a pond which gets pumped out every week but a shell is fine to thats what i use when they are ducklings i wouldnt buy an inflatable paddling pool as i tried this idea and i had to buy a new one every 3 weeks as their claws kept popping them sorry would post a pic but no camera at the mo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Yes, you certainly can't use inflatables for ducks - you need a hard shell type pond. We have the ones that they sell at the Domestic Fowl Trust. We dug a sump where the pond was to go and filled it with stones and gravel. The pond sits on top and is emptied daily onto the sump area so that the water drains away easily, instead of flooding the lawn. Advice on posting photos will be in the FAQ section........ Here - viewtopic.php?f=45&t=21972 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 A photos of my new one here: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=45683 I am SO pleased with it, and the ducks rarely stray from it - only to occasionally eat a very expensive plant It is quite big, about 275 litres - about 1.5m across I believe, but not too deep - just enough so they can't touch the bottom! I got it from an online shop called Containerama - absolutely brilliant. Cost me about £65 I believe. I can't recommend it highly enough. Hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 How did the pump work Steve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I've been meaning to stick a post on about the pump for weeks - this thread made me think of it again... but still haven't. Yes, it does work very well, I'm really pleased with it. It doesn't empty the pond completely unfortunately, but that was always going to be a problem - so I now empty it down the nearby drain once a week, and just have to use a dustpan (minus brush) to scoop out the last of the water. Not perfect, but it works quite nicely all round - had a bit of trouble with the pipe... my Dad came up with some "lay flat hose", like fireman have, but that was rubbish - it kept kinking, so a quick £10 shopping trip in B&Q had me a nice solid bit of pipe, just the right length! I've invested in a net too, as the pond it parked under a leylandii tree, which drops it's giant leaves in it, which do upset the pump, so I have to fish them out with the pond net first. But yes, all in all, very good! And for £20 for the pump, i can't complain!!! The gravel around the edge is proving to be a little tiresome - I don't think I made it nearly deep or wide enough - so we're considering doing away with the gravel altogether, and putting in paving slabs - at least they won't blow the mower up like the gravel strewn all over the garden does!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Thanks for that Steve - I think I'll stick with my sump and gravel. We don't have a problem with the gravel as it is inside a large WIR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Pardon my ignorance... what's a WIR??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Walk In run! Cant believe you don't know what it is! You should check this thread out! http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=45544&start=0 Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 I feel ashamed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsm_jones Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 Don't feel ashamed. I was baffled too and I have one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 Sorry There is so much chat about WIRs on the forum now that I just assumed......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich and Sam Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 (edited) Hello everybody, not sure if this will work but if it does here is our pond http://picasaweb.google.com/RichnSam/OurDucks?feat=directlink Edited July 20, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich and Sam Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Blimey !!! it worked !!! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChookKeeper Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Wow - that looks brill!!! Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Lovely pond! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
