If you own ducks, you probably know how important it is to provide them with clean water. A duck water feeder is one way to keep their water clean and fresh. It is also important to keep it crystal free, and not to let your duck’s water freeze or splash around. In this article, I’ll discuss a few DIY tips to help you keep your ducks’ water free of mess.
Contents
Keeping your duck’s water crystal-free
The secret to keeping your duck’s water crystal-free may well lie in the aforementioned salt water marsh, but that doesn’t mean you have to resort to a life-threatening solution. The best way to do it is to follow the simple guidelines laid out in the book, Ducks are for Life. You’ll need to provide an insulated area for the critters, as well as some type of water-proof cover. It’s also wise to keep an eye out for nefarious neighbours who might sabotage your efforts. This might include naughty hens and dodgy ducks. Keep a close eye on your feathered friends, especially at night. These animals are notoriously slovenly. They might not jump into a bucket of water as often as you think they would, but they are quite opportunistic.
As for the actual cost of maintaining your avian kin, the good news is that the cost of ownership is a lot more reasonable than you might expect. Of course, there are no guarantees. If your duck’s fancy is a flutter, you might end up paying the price down the road.
Keeping your duck’s water from freezing
If you have ducks, you know how important it is to have access to clean water at all times. When the weather gets colder, it’s important to keep your duck’s water feeder from freezing.
Ducks love water. However, their love of water can mean trouble if they don’t have access to it. To keep your duck’s water source from freezing, here are a few tips.
If you have a small pond or a baby pool, you may want to consider placing square bales of straw or hay around it. This will make sure the water stays warm longer.
Another way to prevent your water from freezing is to add a heating element. You can purchase a stock tank heater or use a solar-heated tank. These are excellent for preventing a total freeze.
Another method is to float food in the water. The movement of the food will help keep the water moving and prevent it from freezing.
Keep your duck’s water from splashing around
Having a duck in your backyard can be a lot of fun. However, you will need to do your best to keep your duck’s water from splashing around. This means making sure that you have a shallow water dish for your little ducklings and that you have an area to tuck them away when they aren’t using the pond or swimming pool.
The best way to ensure that your duck’s water is splash-free is to install a watering system. These can be hung from a wall or mounted to a fixture. If installed correctly, this should prevent leaks or overflows.
One of the best ways to keep your duck’s water from splashing all over your lawn is to invest in a few plants. Potted plants and chicken wire are two good options for this. They provide shade from the sun and also muffle any noise that your duck might make.
Another idea is to set up a small swimming pool for your duck. This can be a repurposed garden tub or even a kiddie pool.
DIY mess prevention techniques for ducks
When you’re keeping ducks, it’s important to have a system to keep your duck area and water feeder clean. It’s easy to let things go unchecked, but there are ways to keep your duck pen and waterer area free of mud and poop.
You can start by putting a pad at the center of the waterer area. This can be made from large stones or pressure treated wood. Fill the area with sand and gravel, so it’s a bit deeper than the water.
If your ducks are in a coop or enclosed area, make sure it has a drainage pipe. Large pipes with holes on the sides can work. Cover the pipe with rocks to prevent dirt from getting into the pipe.
In a coop, you’ll need to block off various areas to prevent muddy puddles. A pad will absorb some of the water, while also giving the ducks a place to walk around.
