I never would have guessed that ducks are an outstanding alternative to produce a huge amount of nutrient veggies. Not only do ducks provide eggs, meat and are great for slug control in small ponds. In today’s post, I am sharing why I consider adding a duck or two to my indoor geodesic biodome pond.
Harvest Pathway Duckponics
My friend Clint who was the mastermind behind the frame of my geodesic biodome uses ducks in his 47-foot dome. In this post, I share how his family has inspired me to consider ducks as they use Duckponics in their home garden. Note the fencing that will keep the ducks out of the edibles in their living and swimming space.
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What is Aquaponics
“a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water. “
If you are not familiar with aquaponics it is basically using fish water to fertilize the plants. Fish poop in the water is pumped to the plants that are growing in a rock bed or trays. This can be an organic solution for growing edibles in home gardens.
- Facts about Aquaponics on Purdue Univesity : https://www.purdue.edu/dffs/beginningfarmers/links/aquaponics/
- Aquaponics | Alternative Farming on USDA site: https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/aquaponics
Let’s Talk About the Ducks
Ducks are kind of known for being messy. They like to poop all over the yard and make it hard to enjoy a pond you want to swim in. By adding ducks to an indoor greenhouse with a pond you eliminate the mess. Another issue we have with pet or farm ducks in my area is wildlife enjoy hunting them. If your ducks are not protected they can be eaten by fox, coyote and even eagles. Have a space like a tunnel, greenhouse or dome where you can put your pet ducks is ideal. Now to research if having the ducks in with food is safe!
DuckPonics
“DUCKPONICS” came about when clint figured they could harness the power of the duck poo and grow some
incredible veggies. The Harvest Pathway ducks live in a 39 x 40-foot high tunnel year-round. The growing space is covered with solawrap so the ducks enjoy a nice swim year-round. There are four rock grow beds similar to the ones that they have in their aquaponic system. The beds have the fresh duck pond ( and poop) water pumped through them. As you can tell in the photos featured on this post the vegetables are THRIVING in the duckponic system. The ducks lay eggs daily as the family enjoys watching them swim and help grow their own organic vegetables.
Ducks produce a large amount of manure and, being high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, it is very beneficial for growing healthy plants and vegetables
Interesting facts about ducks, geese, and swans on the Penn State Extension Page at this link.
Facebook Duckponics
I thought this was a cool find on Facebook. Very interesting setup. The ducks swim in the pool and the water is ran though a filter system before water connects with the roots of the edibles.
I recently joined an Auquponics group on Facebook. I want to note that I am just learning how to grow edible this way.
Share This
Interested in Grow your own own Ducks and food! I put together this graphic that is the perfect size for Pinterest. Be sure to add this to your favorite board and tag me @brenhaas so I can follow you and comment back.
Let’s Connect
What do you think about using duck poop to feed your plants? I’d love to hear from you so be sure to reach out to me on social media or leave a detailed message on my contact page.
I hope you will continue to follow me as I research growing edibles with water. I hope to figure this out in 2019 as I have made this one of my gardening goals.
Happy Ducking,
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Great post.