Anybody have ducks in their pond?

[Jersey_Marine]

Was wondering if anyone had ducks visit their pond or purposely put ducks in their pond? Was doing some research and found Rouen ducks don't fly and are good to have around the yard to eat insects. I would think they would eat small fish as well but I dont have many small fish in my pond as most of my Koi are quite large. It would be nice to have a few small ducks frequent the pond every once and awhile and have them roam around the yard. Just was curious because I haven't heard anyone mentioning anything about ducks on here

 

[CometKeith]

I think there may be a few old threads about ducks. There are some pro and cons. Ducks can carry diseases and also can contribute to the waste of the pond. Also they can cause stress in the fish just because of their size and activity. I had a pair of mallards visit my pond a few years ago and it was pretty cool even though they didn't stay long. I think it may make sense to have ducks if your pond is large enough to accomodate them without bothering your fish too much.

 

[peter hillman]

Never in my pond, but we kept 4-5 on the farm once man they make a mess in the water. We had an old bathtub sunk into the ground for them, they eat everything with their mouths in the water and it gets everywhere.

 

[Dave 54]

@RobAmy is the person to ask about ducks my friend they have them all the time on their pond

Dave

 

[Meyer Jordan]

Plan on increasing your filtration capacity quite a bit. Water fowl are prodigious waste generators.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I get ducks in Spring. Every year they've visited, long before I even had a pond. They come in April and leave in June. Last year they knocked the pea gravel in my plant pots everywhere. This year I used larger stones which helped prevent it a little. I did see the female move like she wanted to go for a fish, but it didn't happen. Any time they show up I escort them away (literally walk with them to the back yard away from the pond). They aren't concerned about me at all and usually wind up in the pond 10 minutes later.

 

[RobAmy]

I get many ducks from spring till fall. Had as many as 9 at one time. They do not bother the fish at all. Actually the fish swim all around them. My pond is fairly wide so the ducks have plenty of room to land. I have a lot of filtration and movement with my pond. I have not seen issues with my water but I see where it could be a issue if your pond is not setup correctly. Mine are wild so they leave for the winter. As far as diseases it could have but I have so many birds etc in my stream that they are no more risk then anything else that visits.