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| Ducks
and chucks |
So,
having now finished all of the interior renovations, and installed
satellite TV (sadly I now have to put up with Eastenders!) - what
to do next? Well, a re-run of The Good Life set me thinking and
whilst Joyce was busy planning the rear garden, I put in a bid
for the far corner - Ducks and chickens and a duck pond which
would run out into the garden. After a short discussion (very
short). Joyce drew the line at that, therefore no pigs or other
exotic species! |
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| The
area was split into three areas, a pen for the chickens, a pen
with integral duck pond for guess who - that's right the ducks,
and a vegetable plot. The duck pond was pretty easy, dig out a
hole, step the side of the excavation to line with a low stone
wall, and screed to about 5cm. thickness with a cement mortar
on the base and sides - ensuring as far as possible that the wall
is level. We made a simple water level with a piece of clear plastic
tubing - its by far the most accurate way of doing it. Also incorporated
in the pond was a drain plug and overflow knocked up from the
various waste fittings we had left over from the renovation. Once
the pond is full then we'll trim off the top of the overflow pipe
to the correct height. Note that the pond has a gradual slope
to ground level on the side of the enclosure - ducks have an incredibly
difficult time getting out of the water and can easily injure
themselves so you need to make it easy for them - I drew the line
at a beach and deckchairs! Now all we need is some accommodation
for the new arrivals. Sounds like a job for the winter months
after we've installed the security fencing around the swimming
pool - it never ends!! We'll introduce you to all the new arrivals
next March. |
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The
new duckhouse - cost absolutely nothing! It's amazing what you
can find after four years of renovation. |
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