The duck pond has been filling in for a couple of years now. When the depth got to about 4″ (even the call ducks were only ankle deep!) we decided to rebuild it again. The water had been leaking off to the low South side periodically. It was impractical to try to keep grass or other plants growing on the bankings, as the ducks found everything very tasty.
Drained the pond and dug out the muck. The “duck-muck” was a good addition to the old strawberry beds, which now are planted with cow peas. Right now there are two rows of concrete blocks with the water height up to the second row. It’s still a work in progress.
The geese are not laying right now so they are socializing nicely with the ducks. The geese, who had been restricted from visiting the pond area are enjoying the new pond. It’s still a work in progress and needs to be a bit deeper. We will put fencing up at each end of the cement blocks so that we can plant behind the blocks.
The new ducklings took up residence in the Cricken Choop this morning.
It takes about two weeks for the new guys on the block to get the hang of life in the Barnyard. They spend their time in the Cricken Choop with the heat lamp, until they begin to feather out. The window overlooks the Egg Layer Pen, the Cornish Cross Pen, and Roo the Rooster’s bachelor quarters. Beyond that is the Goat Pen…so there is always lots of action to watch.
They have no window on the other side of the Choop. They can hear their buddies in the Duck Pond, but can’t see them yet. It’s only those of us who have lived at Bent Pine who can anticipate the happy times they have ahead.
Today we hatched 3 new Pekin Ducks. They’ll be 2-3 weeks old for Christmas. They make great Christmas gifts! Pekin Ducks are very personable and each has a slightly different personality…like people.
Happy Homesteading,