Do ducks need a large body of water

halleywell · **Joined:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:08 pm **Posts:** 5

Do ducks need to have a large body of water to swim around in or is a half clam shell ok?

OakA · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:47 pm

They enjoy and appreciate a large body of water but a half clam shell is ideal.
Some of the bigger/heavier breeds do like water to mate more easily but it is not essential.
What they do need is a constant supply of cool drinking water, a few hours without in summer heat can be disasterous.
The essential thing is the water be sufficient to drink and deep enough to get thier heads under water to keep the eyes clean or they can have problems.
Your suggestion of the clam shell is exactly what mine have and it is cleaned out every other day as they can make a mess and make it unsuitable to drink readily.

Ben n Deb · **Posted:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:07 pm

I agree with Oaklands. Shell pools are excellent. I also have buckets with part of the sides cut out so they can get their heads in, but not their body's just for drinking... they still mess it up, but can't empty it like the shells - I have a few drakes, and after they have been in the shells, they are half empty, so the buckets are there just in case.

halleywell · **Joined:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:08 pm **Posts:** 5

Well that is so good as I don't have the room for a big pond or like that and the clam shell fits perfect. Thank you from my new ducks

Weston · **Posted:** Wed Nov 16, 2011 5:04 pm

The clams are great yes especially for ducklings learning to swim

halleywell · **Joined:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:08 pm **Posts:** 5

Thank you for letting me know weston that is great

OakA · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:51 am

Be aware though that ducklings can drown also.
They MUST be able to get out of any body of water, if they can't they will get wet through, tired and cold, then can drown.
I used a fine weld mesh or similar as a ramp to climb out of the clam shell.
Another possibility and one I have used is a rock or broken Bessar Block so they can climb into it and get out.
The lower the water level in any container the harder for small ducklings to get out, particularly on a surface like a plastic clam as they are unable to get a grip and scramble out.
The water level may start out full but with the adults bathing and playing it can/will soon drop too far for small ones to be able to get out easily.
Better to be safe than sorry.

halleywell · **Joined:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:08 pm **Posts:** 5

That is something I did not think of thank you oaklands

Ben n Deb · **Posted:** Fri Nov 18, 2011 3:41 pm

That is something that I have nearly had happen. I filled the pond up, and then left the hose in the pond. Well, the other end got unplugged from the tap and it started siphoning out the pond!

Luckily, my husband walked past it that night, and heard a single 'peep' coming from the pond. upon inspection, he found a head poking out of the water!

It had siphoned enough that he could no longer jump out, but there was enough water in there still, that he could only just reach the top of the water level. He was so heavy with water in his fluff. Fortunately, we got to him in time, and he survived.

I thought that he was big enough, because they could jump in without needing ramps, but when they get heavy with water, it can be difficult getting out - especially as Oaklands says, that the edges are slippery.

I use pavers/bricks etc. Once they're big enough, they don't need bricks, but the young ones do. You'll know when.

Happy ducking! [smilie=a_cookiemonster.gif]

halleywell · **Joined:** Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:08 pm **Posts:** 5

Thank you ben n deb I am so glad I asked now or it could have been a disaster

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