[northfifeduckling]

Whereabouts are you, Declan? I believe the Muscovy ducklings are still available (posted earleir in the week by James).

I use duck eggs for everything except meringues. They make lovely cakes, quiches, omelettes, pancakes...I reduce the other fats in the recipes as they are richer than hen eggs.

Ducks create mud at an incredible speed but I would not want to be without them

[Declan]

 Im over here in N.Ireland- probably too far but let me know- I cant see that post from James.

[northfifeduckling]

probably a bit difficult unless you are coming here for a holidaY!

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php/topic,10404.0.html

[Frieslandfilly]

Ducks are the greatest  We have Khaki Campbells and Alyesbury ducks, the Alyesbury's  do need deep enough water to mate in.
My OH dug out a pond that does not need emptying, only possible on certain ground though, our pond is located next to the stable block, the rainwater run off is taken from the roof via guttering and ground pipes and then he dug a channel for the water to run into the pond, it is on a slight slope and so he dug another channel the other end for any excess water to drain away, result: a pond that, providing we have enough rain , always has water in it, and when we have a great deal of rain it cleans itself through, I should add that we are on clay ground which helps to retain the water.

Dawn

[OhLaLa]

Good idea Frieslandfilly.

My last pond was fed from an underground stream, just a constant trickle, but with a large granite stone at the low point of the pond and the channel away lower on the other side - the result was a fresh pond and pretty little waterfall - and a bigger waterfall when the heavy rains came.