The Lawn Ranger Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 (edited) Hi all, I have sourced the barley that I was looking for in 25kg bags for feeding my duck pond and was wondering how much I should use and how regular to feed it? On my previous pond I carried what feed I could each time I was shooting and that was about it, however this pond is a bit more accessible with a 4x4 and the farmer has kindly offered to help feed it if need be. The total area including the reeds is about a 1/2 acre. All thoughts will be greatly appreciated! Here's a photo...hope it works! Edited November 13, 2013 by The Lawn Ranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 I would start with a couple of buckets of barley in the shallow areas around the edge (if you have them) and then see how quickly it goes. If it goes over night increase the amount until some is left over then cut back a bit. Ideally feed it every afternoon, but I would say every 2-3 days is fine if every day isn't practical, or perhaps set up an automatic feeder. Most importantly, don't over shoot it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted November 13, 2013 Report Share Posted November 13, 2013 Colin is spot on, start with little ammounts and work up, ideally just a wee touch left when u go back to feed the next time. Must admit i just feed my ponds either once a week or once a fortnight and throw enough barley in as it needs to last. Might be handy to put a storage drum up there (50 gall barrel or ibc tank etc) to store feed in so u can bring a load in in dry/frosty weather then just walk up to feed, saves u tracking fields every time u want to feed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted November 14, 2013 Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 As been said start with a wee bit,and if its going then just keep upping it to suit.Other signs you will be seeing is plenty of feathers and muddying of the water where they are feeding.Feed it whenever you can,and if its weekly put in enough to keep them coming for that time as they will find it no probs in the shallows.Looks a cracking place and should be good for a snipe or two in the rashes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filzee Posted November 14, 2013 Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 We have a 45 gallon drum down by our pond with slits cut in the bottom and then pushed in. This is full of barley and after chucking a bit around for a few weeks the ducks just help themselves to it. Quite useful since we struggle to get down there often enough. We don't release so these are all wild duck and we had round 50 on there on Sat just gone and there were still 20+ trying to come in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lawn Ranger Posted November 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2013 Thanks for the replies folks, some good info there. I got 2 wheelie bins from work today so I'm sure that they will make suitable storage near the pond, the feeding frequencies that you all suggest sounds perfect too. Cheers again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Looking at that photo again, ur pond seems vaguely familar. This is a long shot it's not fairly near a big river (well 2 fields away) and the farmer is called david is it? (being delibertly vague as probably not a good idea to say too much on an open forum) Probably totally wrong thou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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