Mary Allen
When keeping ornamental ducks, it is important to take into account the needs of the respective species. Details on how large and deep a pond must be for each species of ornamental duck can be found in the Swiss Poultry Guidelines.
Waterfowl is geared towards using bodies of water. This is where the preening and courtship take place. The ducks often spend the night on the pond and protect themselves from enemies. This is less necessary in human care because an enclosure protects the animals from predators. However, most species are closely associated with water, which is why the pond plays a central role in the life of waterfowl.
When keeping such birds, their own spring that supplies the pond with fresh water is ideal. If there is no source, regular water changes can ensure the well-being of the animals. Due to the weather, it is often more difficult to ensure a clean pond in summer than in winter. Basically, the larger and deeper the pond, the less cloudy the water becomes.
The water quality depends not only on the size but also on the occupancy of an aviary. The more the owner deals with the species and knows about its natural habitat, the better the enclosure design can be adapted to the needs. Especially in areas close to the shore, round gravel or sand help to ensure that the area dries quickly. Larger stones, shrubs, or bushes provide structure and places for the animals to retreat.
The glossy ducks can be found almost all over the world and usually prefer slow-flowing waters, which preferably have a bank area protected by trees. Mostly they breed in tree cavities or nest boxes. In some species, even the males take part in raising the chicks. The well-known species of this group include the colorful mandarin or wood ducks. For a pair of such ducks, a floor area of twelve square meters is recommended, of which at least four square meters is pond area. The water depth should certainly reach 40 centimeters.
Diving Ducks Love the Water
The ground ducks form the largest group of ducks and can be kept in both smaller and larger enclosures. They also prefer slow-flowing waters, inland lakes, or water lagoons. The ducks are “bottom-up”, which means they look for food with their beaks in the water or in the west bank area. They can leave a mess when foraging. It is therefore recommended to think carefully about the design of the bank area when constructing the pond. It is best to enter the pond as flatly as possible so that the ducks can come out at any time. Only a few species use tree cavities as breeding places, most build their nests in the grass, the bank reeds, or in dense bushes. The common ducklings include the Chilean widgeon, the shoveler, and the pintails.
Deep, cold, and clear water ensures the well-being of the diving ducks. Unlike the species listed above, they do not dig to search for food but fetch their food from the depths. Most diving ducks have their natural home in the north. They are therefore absolutely hardy and can do without a shelter. In strong winds, they seek shelter behind rocks or roots. In nature, their food consists mainly of animal food such as larvae, snails, or mussels. Well-known species of diving ducks are the red-crested pochard and pochard. A comparatively much larger pond area with a minimum depth of one meter ensures a species-appropriate living environment.
Sea ducks such as eider ducks or bumphead ducks have a similar need for their environment. They wouldn’t do well in shallow ponds. In contrast to the glossy ducks or green ducks, the grass area in an enclosure can be small for sea ducks, because they also prefer to form the breeding ground as close as possible to the water.
Fish Substitute for Sawyers
Sawyers are also among the more demanding species to keep. They love fish-rich waters where they look for small fish in nature. In captivity, these ducks should be given the appropriate food with fishmeal pellets and additions of shrimp. In communal facilities, it can even happen that the larger mergansers snap at other ducklings and eat them instead of a fish. Most lawyers are capable of breeding in the second year of life. A breeding pair of mergansers needs a pond area of at least 20 square meters. This can be expanded in a community facility with other animals and the large pond can be used by several animals.
The guidelines of Swiss Poultry also explain the planting of bamboo, reeds, and shrubs. There are also tips on the nesting site and feeding. The complete lists of suitable species can also be found in the respective chapters of the guidelines.