[Jemimapuddleduck]

At the risk of sounding like the worst potential duck-owner ever.....

Is it acceptable to use rain barrel water for ducks to swim/play in?  I would have a separate feeder thingy with fresh water in it for them to drink, but wondered if rain water would suffice for the pond/pool/bathtub?

Any thoughts?

[Kate and her Ducks]

Sounds fab but even in Britain I doubt you will get enough!!!

Really!

Actually given a choice they would much prefer rainwater to drink and swim or paddle in but they prefer fresh water so it needs replacing frequently especially in summer when you have less about. Try to use rainwater all you can but I'm sure you will have to substitute tap water much ot the time I would think.

What are you thinking of getting?

[Jemimapuddleduck]

Hi Kate,

We're thinking about getting a couple of khaki campbell girls.   

We're out in the sticks,  and at the moment have rain barrels connected to the house, the barn and the garage with plans for connecting more (lots of veggies to water at the mo!).  We're in Scotland so it's pretty wet, and with plans for just two ducks, I'm hoping that their pool won't need to be too enormous!    But you're right, ducks need a lot of water, so we'll have to see how it goes.

Thanks for the advice...so glad rain water is fine...it would have seemed a real shame to have to use tap water (metered!)

[Caralou]

Mine love rain water, but they do demand water changes at least once a day for their pools whether rain or tap. Thankfully I'm not metered - they contacted me saying it would be cheaper for me as I live alone to have a meter, not a ruddy chance it would be as my water rates are only £16 a month, on a meter with my animals and the amount I use would be at least triple that!

[Jemimapuddleduck]

Thanks Caralou, yes I'd be sure to change the water daily.  I'm a bit of a clean-freak anyway, so that won't be difficult. 

[Kate and her Ducks]

And then use the water from the ducks ponds to water the veg and everything grows like it has rocket fuel under it! Rainwater used twice and the duck poo to good effect! What more do you want?

Have to say I never really took to my Campbells as they are suck nervous ducks.

[Jemimapuddleduck]

Gosh yes, I never thought of putting the mucky water on the garden!  Thanks for that!

Yes, Campbells are a bit nervy....what kind have you got then?

[Kate and her Ducks]

I've got a bit of a mish mash. A Cayuga, a silver Appleyard, welsh Harlequins and some home grown hybrids (sounds better than mongrels!).