Thedeerman Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I’ve got a good sized pond on one of my permissions that I would like to get some ducks on. I’d say it’s about the size of two tennis courts. It sits towards the bottom of a valley in a grass meadow used for grazing cattle. It looks as though it started off as a field flood, but has been there for some years and is now full of various weeds. It is quite exposed to the elements and there are no reeds or plants around the edges. I was wondering if i would need to do some planting around it to make it more sheltered and inviting and if so, what should I plant? I've not started feeding it yet, nor have I seen any duck on it but there are plenty in the area. Any advise would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 feed would be the biggest thing, youd be amazed the inhospitable conditions duck will endure on a splash on a marsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 yes very true,if its too deep fot the duck to feed,dig a shelf on one side maybe 1ft-2ft deep and put the feed on there,make sure you feed it before the first ducks arrive and see you other wise you'll spook them before you even get a chance to shoot the pond,we fed ours everyday with 2-3 buckets of wheat as we had about 170 mallard and a few teal coming last season,but obviously you can gauge that for yourself depending how much gets eaten and ultimatley how many duck you have coming back. I would consider building some hides though if there is no natural cover. hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 For a splash, e.g for dabbling ducks i would say if you cant walk accross it in wellies its too deep, although it does pay to have one or two slightly deaper areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 For a splash, e.g for dabbling ducks i would say if you cant walk accross it in wellies its too deep, although it does pay to have one or two slightly deaper areas. i have to say i disagree!- our pond is deeper than six foot and like i said on good nights we would easily get more than 100 duck back,we just dug shelves round one side. One of the ponds i shot yesterday evening is probably 4ft deep at its deepest and we had about 30 come back then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedeerman Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 It isn't very deep, but i'd say you need waders rather than wellies. Probably about 4 foot in the middle and a quite shallow slope to the middle maybe 6 inches to a foot around the edges. Would a spring feeder on a waste pipe over the water be ok or do i need to hand feed the edges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhw100 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 the depth is fine,i personally think hand feeding is better just sprinkle the grain around the one margin,id start with 2 bucketfulls and then wait and see if it dissappears,then ull know if ducks are on there or not dont keep pouring it in if its not going though! look in the shallow water and bank for duck prints also watch out for rats!. I have seen a odd brace of duck under spring pheasant feeders before but i dont think it would work on a pond though there wont be enough food on the floor at one time for the ducks to look for i cant imagine a queue of ducks waiting there turn under a feeder can you? you can get mechanical pond feeders that dispense feed at an allotted time i know nothing of these though. good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goose basher Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 we always use barley to feed ponds wheats no good for the water also if there cattle about they will go mad to get wheat got to be careful if cattle there matey. goosebasher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark@mbb Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I dont agree the pond in my field is 8' in the centre and has sloping sides and i can get 150 canadian geese during the night any time of the years this picture was took 4 days ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ91 Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Personaly I would fence it off as that prob one of the reasons there is no cover around it if the cattle have been turning it up all the time, get some fresh willow twigs and stab them into the ground as these are quite good for self rooting. Also try up rooting some reeds from another marsh or pond and plant them around the edge, after this is done leave well alone for a wile as the wildlife takes over, then start feeding with barley keep a eye on the feed to make sure ur not putting to much down. Also keep a eye out for duck **** n feathers indicate if the ducks are using the pond... Good luck and enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedeerman Posted January 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Very good point about the spring feeders, just that I've seen a few about on ponds near me. Never seen great numbers of duck on them though! I think I'll take the advise of Russ91 and get a bit of willow and reed around at least one side over the next few months. In the process of getting this place set up for putting some pheasant down net year, so have got plenty to keep me occupied. Will keep you posted on how its all going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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