Pond Plants & Ducks

pond plants and ducks

Whether you have pet ducks or wild- this page will answer some questions about pond plants and ducks.

How to Plant a Pond for Ducks

Maintaining sufficient grass is the primary concern when raising heavy domestic ducks. Overgrazing during winter is not a problem if your flock is destined for the holiday table. What if you wish to create an area for waterfowl enjoyment? If the grass in your bird enclosure doesn’t need to be cut in the summer, you likely have too many birds.

The delicate green baize near the water’s edge may become mud in spring. Your circumstances will determine the best resilient grass mix. However, perennial rye, cocksfoot, and fescues are recommended for sowing. Although it is cost-effective to cover large areas, a paddock mixture can not be used for gardens.

Ponds will need reinforcement around the edges. This will protect banks from erosion, prevent mud from building up around the area, and protect the plants’ roots. If the shape of the pool is to remain constant, it will need to be contained with concrete, timber, or stones. Gravel is used around the perimeter to stop erosion. Shells and broken slate could also be used as substrates. No matter what substrate you choose, web-footed workers can re-distribute the careful placements. These wood chips can harbor fungal spores and disease, so they are not recommended.

The enclosure should be established and planted before the birds are brought in. If you need to allow your plants or flowers to grow after your birds arrive, they must be protected until their entire establishment.
You could create a plant profile with the four main species in any planting plan.

  • Free-floating plants
  • Marginal plants
  • Plants that are submerged
  • Trees and shrubs

Shrubs and trees should be planted at the water’s edge to provide shelter from the wind and sun and give you respite from frost, snow, and sunlight. Small trees and shrubs can also provide a frost-free area near the water’s edge and invertebrates. However, excess shading and leaf litter can affect the water quality, so they should be avoided. Evergreens are best; the dwarf varieties of evergreens can be used. They are slow-growing and do not become invasive.

Marginal plants can tolerate fluctuations in water levels. They can help prevent bank erosion, protect birds, attract insects, and ensure the survival of ducklings. Reeds and flags make excellent marginal plants and provide ideal habitat for ducks. If you want to introduce ducks, these plants must be established.

Submerged and free-floating plants won’t survive unless your waterfowl population density is low. They will attract invertebrates and be a food source for diving ducks. They can also be oxygenators and help improve the water quality and health of the pond.

Mare’s tail makes an excellent oxygenator plant and can be planted in marginal or submerged locations. It should not be confused with horsetail, which is a dangerous weed. Water crowfoot is another option, with its attractive white buttercup flowers and leaves above and below the water level.

Duckweed and other free-floating plants are an essential food source, but they can also cause damage by completely covering the pond. Duckweed is a floating plant that floats just below the water’s surface. This provides cover for many species’ fry and a source of protein-rich food. They can also remove nitrates from the water, making them water purifiers.

In summer, good coverage can reduce water evaporation. Frogbit is another popular free-floating species that adds interest to the pond. It floats on top, looking almost like a small water lily. Frogbit hibernates in the winter at the bottom of a pond, but in summer, it resurfaces to shelter tadpoles and small fish as well as larvae if they have survived foraging waterfowl. A separate protected pool is an excellent idea to allow children to grow floating plants.

What Pond Plants Will Ducks Not Eat?

There are few plants ducks will not eat. They love new growth, which often leads to waterfowl damage. Although you may imagine a garden like the Impressionists, their flowers are a delicate treat. 

Use highly fragrant, thorny, or spiked plants. You can also repel deer by using plants that have these properties. Although there is no guarantee that a hungry bird will not disturb a specific plant, this list may help to guide you.

  • Bushy bluestem
  • Indian grass
  • Lady fern
  • Powdery alligator flag
  • Creeping burrhead
  • Sand spike rush
  • Broadleaf cattail
  • Water canna
  • Pickerelweed
  • Texas sedge
  • Rose mallow

 

Are Some Plants Poisonous to Ducks?

Waterfowl are naturally curious and uproot and nibble any plants in and around the pond. Some native and common pond plants are poisonous. We suggest that these should be avoided in a waterfowl enclosure where they could be nibbled:

  • Ragwort
  • Bryony
  • Tuli
  • Hydrangea
  • Delphinium
  • Corn Cockle
  • Hyacinth bulbs
  • Vetch
  • Daffodil bulbs
  • Henbane
  • Bracken
  • Oleander
  • Sweet pea
  • Black (deadly) nightshade
  • Common St John’s Wort
  • Rapeseed
  • Privet
  • Foxglove
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Rhododendron
  • Daphne berries
  • Yew
  • Clematis
  • Castor Bean
  • Laburnum seeds
  • Hemlock
  • Rhubarb leaves
  • Some Ferns
  • Potato sprouts
  • Some Fungi
  • Meadow buttercup
  • Most ornamental Irises

 

Last Updated on February 27, 2022 by Davin

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