And so it begins...
We brought home six Muscovy ducklings a couple of weeks ago and oh my goodness are they so cute. They are also very messy, and getting very big, very fast.
ABOVE: Muscovy Ducklings from Thistle Dew Farm in York, Maine
As if you don't already know, ducks love water. In fact, ducks need water to be able to digest their food. So when we started to think about having to fill and empty a swimming pool every day, or multiple times a day for them, we started to get a little anxious about the amount of work that was going to be.
Don't get me wrong - we would absolutely change their pool water for them every day. Homesteading can require you to do many tedious, sometimes not-so-enjoyable tasks. However, the other part of homesteading is thinking outside the box, and utilizing the resources that are readily available, keeping the goal of self-sustainability in mind. We looked around the yard and decided that there was just enough space in front of The Berry Patch to dig out a small duck pond. Talk about a back-saver. The pond will be useful for our livestock, and also for garden irrigation purposes.
ABOVE: The pond digging has begun (in the pouring rain no less - my picture quality is terrible, as I was trying to snap them without creeping the landscaper out....)
Since this is a man-made pond, we will have to do a little engineering to keep the water moving, so it does not become stagnant. To resolve this concern, we are considering solar powered water pumps. A pond liner will also be a worthwhile investment in order to keep the water from leaching into the sandy bottom and out into the rest of the yard.
Prior to digging this area out, this space in the yard was going to no use, and was rather unsightly. It was home to a pile of debris from the previous owners... The pit was full of old broken cinderblocks, burn-pile ashes, and overgrown grasses and weeds. Now, not only will it be a functional area, but it will also make the yard look a heck of a lot more put together!
Luckily, the hammock is a couple feet away as well... Looking forward to a lazy afternoon swinging by the pond (who am I kidding, we do not ever rest around here)!
Stay tuned for Part 2!
*Always check your state and town regulations before digging a pond as permits may be required.*
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