Do Ducks Need A Pond? (Keeping Ducks 2019)

[@HilltopFarmHomestead]

Everyone says that they only need a bucket of water. You can keep them with chickens because they only need a bucket of water. All this is true but there is a difference between giving an animal the bare minimum it needs to sustain life and giving it what it needs to life a happy life. Your wonderful video is testimony to this. They might be able to survive with a bucket of water but they are truly happy splashing around in a pond. Remember a chicken can survive without a dust bath, as many battery hens could tell you, but would they be happier having one every day? We all know the answer to that.

[@TheObserver567]

You going to need more buckets. Cute video

[@LizZorab]

Thank you! I really enjoy making videos with the ducks.

[@Alternativesmallholding]

Roo said they are the most beautiful ducks she has ever seen!

[@LizZorab]

That's because your daughter is a wise girl! LOL Happy New Year Jasmin :-)

[@Alternativesmallholding]

Liz Zorab - Byther Farm She is indeed. Happy new year to you too. We have spent the morning sitting talking of dreams, looking at maps, and many big sighs have been heard. 2019 is going to be good, but another year of planning and dreaming. I hope the year is wonderful for you x

[@SB_whatevers]

Ducks are such cuties and so much fun.

[@KellysKitchenGarden]

Absolutely joyous to see your ducks doing their thing Liz. Properly made me smile 😊 🦆 I felt for your oldest girl. She really wanted in that pool! Loved her slomo wind flap 🥰

[@carolynvitalis4792]

Ducks are so relaxing to watch thank you

[@LizZorab]

Hi Carolyn, I find them incredibly relaxing, I like their little chatter to each other and the snuffling noises they make when they find something good to eat.

[@rubygray7749]

I hope you move the pond about so that lovely mucky ducky fertiliser gets spread evenly! I have a chook water container in between some fruit trees and tip the dirty water out below them. They have grown superbly!

[@bappydeb9344]

Impressed by ur ideas Madam From Bangladesh

[@Annie.xx-xx]

How beautiful. The ducks just always look so happy and well cared for. Brilliant video. Beautiful music too. ❤

[@LizZorab]

Aw thanks Annie, I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Did you have a good Christmas?

[@Annie.xx-xx]

@@LizZorab. It was a nice quiet Xmas with the boys . Thank you liz xx hope yours was lovely 💖💖

[@kerryl4031]

Great slo-mo with the quackers - a wish list in the future for me. As for the old lady, I wonder if she'd benefit from a more shallow tubtrug - or perhaps a paving slab for her? I had to do that with my old buff Sussex chicken - not for paddling though LOL!

[@LizZorab]

Hi Kerry, the old girl can paddle and swim in the large pond in their enclosure (and I may have seen her occasionally in the wildlife pond in the food forest!), so I'm not too worried that she can't hop into the trug. :-)

[@kerryl4031]

Phew! For a moment I thought you'd drained it and was relying on the little pond trug! Either way - great to see duckies enjoying themselves. I have a green tubtrug (well I have 2 but they seem to prefer one over the other) and the smaller birds were hogging it while the brahmas tried to bathe outside (no fine soil there)!

[@jillpatience4455]

Gorgeous. See if you can persuade Erica to get some ducks. 😃

[@LizZorab]

Mission accepted! Happy New Year Jill, I look forward to meeting you later in the year.

[@rebeccajosteelman563]

Aww, respect ~ older one is doing her best. There is something wonderful about water-loving birds that's really relaxing to be with and watch, which is why I've always loved wetlands too.

[@izby2652]

Thank you! Absolutely loved this! Ducks are just adorable, aren't they?!

[@LizZorab]

Ducks are lovely, I far prefer them to chickens (except maybe Big White). I'm glad that you've enjoyed the video :-)

[@de8517]

Liz, please post anything & everything on ducks. Ducklings, feed, general care... I want to raise ducks (for eggs & meat) when we buy some property. Enjoyed the video & how can anyone not let the ducks get into some water for a bit of all over cleaning??? I realize ducks are messy & mud happens...and I think of Cyndi Laupers song: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. 😃

[@de8517]

I'm doing research on ducks. I'm not lazy but first hand knowledge & seeing what you & Mr. J do on your small holding... Enjoy your videos.

[@Betriska]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year! Ducks are my favorite! ❤

[@LizZorab]

Hello Betty, happy new year to you too! I love ducks, they are great companions in the garden :-)

[@evaheiks8493]

I always love the bird videos. Those ducks look so happy! Take care!

[@LizZorab]

Hi Eva, how are you? Happy new year :-)

[@evaheiks8493]

Liz Zorab - Byther Farm I’m good. I hope you and Mr. J have great New Year. I keep missing the live shows, but I watch them afterwards. I still love seeing you and all your projects.

[@cynthiahamblin-perry5880]

Ducks are fun to watch! Thanks for sharing!

[@LizZorab]

HNY! Glad you enjoyed the video :-)

[@nicolaj3294]

I could watch this all day, I've always loved ducks. Thanks Liz quacking good video

[@yellowlabrador]

for anyone into hedgerow foraging, the sorrel is out and so are dandelions. a nice addition to a salad

[@insidekateskitchen]

Liz, your ducks are adorable. Thanks for the share.

[@LizZorab]

Thanks Kate, we love them

[@caroldorsett8170]

Happy new year Liz! The season has been very busy with company and Christmas! We are trying to get through the cold winter here -18 degrees F with several feet of snow. Nice to see you are in a warmer place all water here that is not heated is frozen solid. Loving seeing the ducks bath!

[@LizZorab]

Brrrr, Carol it's so cold where you live! I hope that you get a break in the cold weather soon, even if it's only for a short while. :-)

[@immy8940]

Love this, thank you for the fab information!

[@LizZorab]

Thank you Imogen, glad that you enjoyed it, I love spending time with the ducks, they are so chatty :-)

[@ourselfreliantlife]

I like it. Simple, inexpensive, easy to utilize. Thanks!

[@50shadesofgreen]

awesome video Liz !! the ducks loved messing around with the water !! 🎉🎈🎇 HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS 🎇🎈🎉 !!

[@Seal6Sniper]

Liz, do you find that you always have to move your kiddie pool around the yard or they make a mud hole in no time? I have a large pond that I force mine to use during the day to contain the mess but as you pointed out, it's not necessary to have. I also use a 6" PCV pipe with 2.5" holes drilled on top (with an end cap on one end and a screw cap on the other for daily drain out) for them to use at night during their pen lock down.

[@LizZorab]

We have a large pond in the main duck enclosure which they usually use, I'm giving them this paddling pond as a treat while they are going through the new food forest area and clearing it of slugs and snails (or I hope that they are!).

[@BriansJerseygarden]

Liz I just love your farm and your animals are a hoot

[@LizZorab]

Thank you Brian!

[@lisabits]

Thanks for the duck info! I love watching them preen ☺️

[@LizZorab]

Hello, thanks for dropping by again :-) They are a delight to watch, I feel very fortunate that we can have them wandering around and spending their time so closely with us!

[@LauraMichelGreenRaven]

I found that cement mixing tubs work well for this. Two different sizes at my HomeDepot and inexpensive. Laura

[@amyoverthetop]

Liz - Thank you so much for sharing your understandings and experiences. This has validated my impressions with my first small flock of ducks. Being that they are such a specialized husbandry I've felt a bit lost. I'm learning as I go and your share is most helpful. - Amy/Vermont

[@LizZorab]

You are so welcome! Amy, have you found a channel called Gold Shaw Farm? They have ducks and geese and are based in Vermont so may be able to give you pointers and ideas that work for your climate. Morgan Gold (of Gold Shaw Farm) is a great orator and is wonderful at telling stories. If you head to his channel, please let him know I suggested him to you. BUT... please keep coming back here too!

[@samanthabarris3729]

Just love watching your ducks

[@fivetopsfarm8061]

I don't know if there is anything cuter than your ducks! Thanks for the information, hoping to get ducks ourselves this year.

[@nazmulmediauk3791]

Very beautiful. Where is this farm?Thanks

[@steveblackmore1896]

Make your duck a ramp will ya ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MrsLaytonClassroom]

This is an occasion when I would love to be able to hit that thumbs up button multiple times! Well done.

[@GeorgiasVintageWorld]

Beautiful ducks, Liz, I know when mine come waddling out in the morning they make my day!

[@LizZorab]

There's something really special about them :-)

[@thelittlefarmersfarm5706]

And... It's a BIG LIKE FROM ME!! great and informative as ever Liz.. Go DUCKS! All the Very best to You and Mr J for 2019.

[@LizZorab]

Happy New Year! Thanks for dropping by again :-)

[@jodysappington7008]

love watching my 2 ducks....

[@debrabyrd9308]

Oh! I love this vid of the beautiful ducks just a dozy. I loved the one at the end that just kept showing off. Have a happy New Year. I wish you blessings and lots of happiness.😀😃

[@LizZorab]

Hi Debra, happy New Year to you too! Thank you for dropping by again :-)

[@figspigsandfeathers8179]

Love the duck videos Liz! Thanks and Happy New Year.

[@LizZorab]

Happy New Year to you and yours too! More of the ducks in this week's Patreon video :-)

[@ColinMill1]

We have come to the conclusion that there is no limit to the amount of water ducks want. We have three runners and have provided them with a 2 square metre, 400 litre pool in their enclosure. While this is OK we find they take every opportunity to abscond and go down to the main farm pond that is about 30 metres in diameter. This is fine, but with fox and mink around we want them securely in their enclosure overnight and just occasionally they refuse to come back in. We are starting to wonder if a couple of radio controlled model boats might just help us herd them off the pond.

[@ChristinePPM]

Happy New Year Liz! Your ducks are fascinating to watch, thank you for sharing this video :-)

[@LizZorab]

Happy New Year Chrissie! They are lovely, aren't they? I lose hours by just stopping and watching them, they each have their own funny traits and characteristics :-)

[@barbara-lz9hw]

Awww bless they love to splash don't they happy ducks

[@LizZorab]

Hi Barbara, they certainly do love splashing around!

[@marycleveland6432]

Loved your video. I'm considering getting ducks when I move to my own piece of property some time this year. Happy New Year.

[@LizZorab]

Ooh how exciting! I remember how thrilled (and daunted) we were at getting our first pair of ducks in spring 2016, I don't think we would be without them now! Please let me know what breed of ducks you choose when you move :-)

[@marycleveland6432]

@@LizZorab Sure will. At the moment, thinking of a dual purpose breed.

[@joyceshelby8858]

I have one muscovery duck. He appeared at our place and has never left. Why would he, he has his on pond, feed and 2 cats to play with. Lol. Only one problem he and I have, he poops a lot on my porch....

[@dianecharles881]

Awesome Liz!👏🏻

[@PetalsonthePavingSlabs]

Not being funny Liz, I've often wondered what stops the ducks from flying away? Do you clip their wings? Happy New year by the way!

[@LizZorab]

Hi Stew, these ducks are Aylesburys, which are the heaviest breed in UK and they are simply too heavy to be able to fly. This is part of the reason that I chose the breed (although mostly it was because I wanted some Jemima Puddleducks waddling around). HNY to you and yours too!

[@Seal6Sniper]

There are some lighter weight breeds like call ducks and Mallards (from which most domestic ducks originate) that if you don't clip their primary flight feathers on at least one wing will fly away on you with the wild ones once they arrive. Muscovys are another.

[@susieawalt7416]

Beautiful birds

[@ErnieCG]

Good video 🪿🪿🪿

[@susanmccullough8839]

Hi, where did you get that tub with handles please, its a great size

[@opencoop4268]

We had a pond, but the amount of poop turned it toxic! Now we're trying a kiddie pool, which the dirty in the first 30-60 minutes. They spend most of their day, sitting and pooping in one spot around the kiddie pool. It's getting smelly. Debating on re-homing these beautiful girls to a home with a pond...

[@MyFamilyGarden]

Are all your ducks the same breed?

[@LizZorab]

Hi, they are all Aylesburys or Aylesbury x Pekins :-)

[@dxlworldmemes4964]

lan

[@maricaplasmans6061]

Ducks from large farmproduction don't get water to clean and swim in and they develope croced legs and are bearly able to walk. So would you say a certan hight to your water, to get then of there feet for while, is needed?

[@LizZorab]

Hello Marica, I imagine around four inches (10 cms) of water would be enough for them to lift their feet and tuck them under their bodies if they wanted to float around for a while. This lot spend a lot of time off their feet as they sit or lay around under the trees for long periods every day. I think (although I don't know for sure) that it's more important that they have water in which to clear their nostrils than it is for them to swim. Thanks for dropping by!

[@maricaplasmans6061]

Thanks. Glad I found another homestead closer to home. When I saw you planting garlic I thought really, now? Good I have you to mimic in the Netherlands.

[@suefisher1077]

Happy New year

[@LizZorab]

Happy New Year to you too Sue, thank you for dropping by!

[@stevendowden2579]

nice video

[@LizZorab]

Thank you Steven. There's not a great deal going on in the garden at this time of year, but the birds continue to be amusing and lovely :-)

[@angelarai1]

happy new year all xxx

[@LizZorab]

Thank you Angela, happy new year to you too!

[@treesagreen4191]

But there's more to a pond than just water. They are aquatic birds and get nutrients from and add them to the network of life in and around the water. When you see them in the wild, they're in and out of the water most of the time. I don't keep livestock/pets and personally wouldn't have ducks unless I had space for a real pond.

[@Sgt-Gravy]

Beautiful video to the eyes. However the sound of the slow motion made me sick to my stomach a bit. Reminded me of the sounds when being put under for surgeries. I wish I could offer a way to fix this, but hopefully it's a click of the mouse to mute the slow motion sounds. Thank you Liz, wonderful & educational video otherwise.

[@marizrondina6204]

:) Love it!

[@GrowYourOwnLife]

I'd love two ducks.

[@LizZorab]

Yes, go for it! HNY Ross :-)

[@bibornocanvas1891]

Where are this fram??? *Need some children, How can i collect some children or egg from Bangladesh? Plz some one help me*

[@juliejames917]

Yes ducks need a pond. The proof is in their body design. My ducks bathe in there’s everyday and literally go under. Back up. Under again. Why don’t you just go get them a kiddie pool? So they don’t have to take turns ? This video makes me sad.

[@LizZorab]

They don't have a kiddy pool because they have two ponds to swim in. I was answering a question posed by viewers who wanted ducks but didn't have access to a large pond. Here are videos with the ducks happily in their ponds kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXSmXolpgdKUn8U and kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXXPn51rfclsbdU