thepasty Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Hi guys I was talking with my farmer friend down the pub yesterday and he mentioned I'm welcome to feed his pond for duck if I like, he's even got scrap feed he said I could use. So how do I go about it? When to feed, how much to feed, what to feed? I have no experience of wildfowling but do fancy a few duck for the table and like the challenge of something new. Is there anything I can do to the pond environment to encourage birds also? Once we've established some birds whats the best way to go about taking a few for the table? cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Start feeding around the edge of the pond and in the shallow areas (a few inches deep), i would start at about a bucket of feed and go back the next day and see if it is gone. Feed what you have but Wheat/Barley and old potatoes are the norm. When the feed is starting to go spend an evening watching the birds flighting in to see what sort of numbers and where they are coming from, if you want also build a few pallet hides just back from the edge to aid concealment when you shoot it. When you feel that it is the time to shoot it arrive a few hours before last light and shoot the birds as they flight in, try not to overshoot it though as it will stop the birds coming in definately not more than once every 2 weeks. Always pack up before the last birds come in and allow enough time to collect what you have shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 I agree with what silver pigeon 3 has said. In addition you should work out when ducks are using the pond whether it is a 'day' pond or a 'night' pond. There will be little point in waiting for a flight in the evening if ducks are arriving at first light and then fly off early evening to feed elsewhere. This can only be done by observation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlennox Posted November 18, 2013 Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 Only feed the water as well because food on the bankside will attract the local rat population. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted November 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2013 Thanks guys Pretty straight forward, I'll let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted November 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 So we've started feeding the pond, my farmer friendly kind gave us a load of wheat. Went down there yesterday to see only around 10 ducks.... but its a start.... we'll keep feeding and see what happens over the next few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 So we've started feeding the pond, my farmer friendly kind gave us a load of wheat. Went down there yesterday to see only around 10 ducks.... but its a start.... we'll keep feeding and see what happens over the next few weeks. What time of day did you look in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 That was mid day ish, I went down later to cover the bags of wheat, it was almost dark and didn't see any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 The only thing I would add is that feathers floating on the pond will give a good idea of its intensity of use and when it is used if you go regularly. Also, if your food is stored on site be careful it is in containers that cows cant push over - too much wheat for animals - horses etc will do them harm - we use 25 gallon drums with clamp lids and a small barbed wire enclosure in a cow field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 No livestock on this part of the farm at this time of year, far too wet... I'll get my lad on feather watch... he'll love it cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted November 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) Headed to the ponds at around 4pm today, there seemed to be a few more ducks on the water than last visit and all wheat taken. Another bucket thrown into the mix and hopefully we'll have a steady increase over the next few weeks. A good portion of the birds that lifted seemed quite small, would these be juveniles or a different brand of duck? Edited November 26, 2013 by thepasty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinF Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 The small ones will probably be teal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted November 26, 2013 Report Share Posted November 26, 2013 Headed to the ponds at around 4pm today, there seemed to be a few more ducks on the water than last visit and all wheat taken. Another bucket thrown into the mix and hopefully we'll have a steady increase over the next few weeks. A good portion of the birds that lifted seemed quite small, would these be juveniles or a different brand of duck? Can you tell the difference between a teal and a mallard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted November 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 I can in the pictures but as we're feeding late in the day its silhouettes rather than defined shape and colour. I'm sure I'll learn whats what as we continue to feed the pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 A good portion of the birds that lifted seemed quite small, would these be juveniles or a different brand of duck? If you are planning to shoot it you really need to get your bird id sorted, there may well be birds visiting that are protected. I can in the pictures but as we're feeding late in the day its silhouettes rather than defined shape and colour. I'm sure I'll learn whats what as we continue to feed the pond. In the bad light the first clue on id will be the sound they are making, not always the quacks and whistles but the noise of the wings is also a good clue. this takes time to learn but is invaluable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepasty Posted November 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 of cause I'll be positively iding birds before shooting, that goes for shooting anything... it'll come in a short while, I like the whole wildlife observation & iding thang as much as shooting. I'm always boring the wife explaining the differences between bird calls etc I'm yet to here a sound from these ducks mind, prolly best to build a hide for observation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted November 27, 2013 Report Share Posted November 27, 2013 of cause I'll be positively iding birds before shooting, that goes for shooting anything... it'll come in a short while, I like the whole wildlife observation & iding thang as much as shooting. I'm always boring the wife explaining the differences between bird calls etc I'm yet to here a sound from these ducks mind, prolly best to build a hide for observation. Know the feeling mate, my other half gets so bored of me saying "shoosh, that's the call of a ..." whilst we are out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody801 Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 Teal sound a bit like crickets, a short sharp whistle. Keep an eye on the pond as u approach. They tend to fly straight upwards hence "spring teal". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 Teal sound a bit like crickets, a short sharp whistle. Keep an eye on the pond as u approach. They tend to fly straight upwards hence "spring teal". Mate if it quacks shoot it lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remmyman Posted December 8, 2013 Report Share Posted December 8, 2013 If you constantly find ducks on the water during the day then you should change your feeding routine. Start to feed less food in one go, but do it EVERY evening just before flight. Regular daytime checks will soon tell if this new strategy is working. As regards ID, the main culprit is a Merganser being mistaken for a Mallard, Shellduck can catch you out at flight time to if you're not careful. Also, though fundamental to getting the best out of a flightpond, you'd be amazed at how many people don't consider 'hide' placement seriously enough as regards prevailing wind, lastlight etc Regards Remmyman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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