Beagle boy Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 Morning all hope your all keeping well and enjoying the season so far As a newbie I was wandering if I could pick your brains on flight ponds, on my land there is a small pond that this year the mallards have really taken to, and have been feeding off the much heap in the same field. I have started putting some barley down next to the pond ( ( about 20kg bag ) How often should I keep feeding the pond? And how long should i expect them to hang around? Cheers rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 A bucket full a night in the shallow water around the edges would be a good starting point. Sit up one evening without a gun and just see what and when they are coming in, if there are hundreds up the food a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 They are obviously finding food there anyway but a bit more will not hurt. Learned from my mistakes and found that if you do feed and then miss a week or so due to a vacation, they will bug off somewhere else. Have someone cover this. Done it a number of ways , from tipping in a half ton load, to sprinkling round the shallows ...consistency with ducks is all important. Nothing really beats that SSSS SSS sound of wing beats in the darkening gloom of an evening as ducks circle before dropping in. Makes the hair stand on end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlander Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 As both above have said keep the feed going in everyday and they will hang around, we use tailings mostly as we get them for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKPoacher Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 If you can source some rotten spuds or old cabbages from a wholesaler or market stall holder they are a good feed for ducks. Chop them up with a spade and chuck them around the margins of the pond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted December 2, 2016 Report Share Posted December 2, 2016 don`t over shoot it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted December 3, 2016 Report Share Posted December 3, 2016 You only need to feed every night if all of the grain is getting eaten. One of the ponds that I feed, there is often enough to keep the ducks going for two to three days if I put the correct amount in. They will forage hard for those last bits of grain that may have been stamped into soft mud etc. I try to spread the wheat as much as possible, so that they have to work for the food a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagle boy Posted December 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2016 Evening guys cheers for the replys I have started spreading the barley around as I was putting it into piles and I think the crows took most of it, the ducks seem to be holding well so far and I doubt I'll shoot it until the new year. Do normal feeders next to the pond work ok or do ducks. It take to them? Cheers rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlander Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Hi yes normal feeders do work but everything and anything will feed from them, still better to hand feed into the water`s edge every day if you have the time. Why are you leaving the shooting untll after the new year you will only get a couple of goes at them. Outlander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPhantom Posted December 9, 2016 Report Share Posted December 9, 2016 Evening guys cheers for the replys I have started spreading the barley around as I was putting it into piles and I think the crows took most of it, the ducks seem to be holding well so far and I doubt I'll shoot it until the new year. Do normal feeders next to the pond work ok or do ducks. It take to them? Cheers rob As others have said, feed in the shallows. The crows can't get at it then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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