I have a bunch of comments for you Sean, born out of best wishes and a lot of experience in this area. Take any of this as you wish - and I hope some of this benefits other viewers. A really good way to prevent wildlife dying in your ponds is to terrace them. It's much better to have steps than slopes, for several reasons (one big reason is the creation of a thermal layer called a phototropic layer - and it's important that this is a distinct section of the pond, and not a linear gradient), but one major one is that if something with claws falls into the pond, if you have steps they can get out without ripping your liner, but if you have slopes, then they are extremely likely to rip the liner. Layers also allow for the placement of larger keystones, which can be used as stepping stones (for humans and wildlife) even underwater. They also allow for the creation of underground crevices and caves, which allow fish to escape/hide from predators. I would also recommend putting in some smaller sized stones (pea gravel) inside the pond (and ideally in aeration zone - see my next comment), as this is habitat for beneficial bacteria. It's important to also have these smaller stones in the deepest portion of the pond, where the water will be the coolest, as the most beneficial bacteria is cold water bacteria. I would also try to add some kind of splashing zone to get good aeration. This will help keep mosquitoes away, help keep decomposition aerobic, which can prevent Giardia, helps with other chemistry issues that can arise, and helps fish quality of life. For example, designing in even the smallest waterfall/pooling zone will do wonders for a pond, and could be run with a solar pump. Not only that, but bees really like flowing water, with pooling zones, and would also allow for dragonflies, which can solve many problems in a food forest. For anyone who knows my content, they will know I have gained a lot of experience with ponds and pond design and several deep dive videos to help out. I'm also a big proponent of having an underground reservoir, so that it simulates underground aquifers. This allows better pond water turnover, and allows water to get out of sun UV, which also helps break the algae cycle. My pond water is crystal clear, we get the water tested frequently, and have tons of frogs and dragonflies (an indicator of healthy ecosystem) in our 50,000 gallon pond.
@@formidableflora5951 That's awesome! Fish are a must, because you want to get a CO2 load in there to balance the chemistry. You'd also want it for the nitrogen (pee), but there would be no shortage of nitrogen in a chicken setup from rainwater leechate. As for what fish to go for, I went with Koi because they are a riverfish and pick up rocks, eat the algae off them and spit them back out. They are a cleaning crew. They are also a great financial investment, as koi can sell quite well if one was so inclined. Another option is tilapia or sunfish/bass for a food source. It depends on the size of the pond. Something smaller like this, you can also go with mosquito fish just to keep the mosquitoes down (they eat about 300 larvae each day, per fish. As far as cons, there are no cons, only perhaps the price to buy them (and if something like a mink keeps stealing them).
Really wonderful ideas here and certainly worth while for anyone reading comments to visit Keiths channel, watch his videos and subscribe to him! SO much information. There are limiting factors for real with this project. I would have loved to make it all more gentle in the angle and have more steps in there. I certainly understand the value in that for sure. It is just a very specific and tight area we have to work with so oh well, it is what it is! More plant life will certainly happen, perhaps fish but I may want to see if plants can do all the work so insects can habitate in here as well... It'll all unfold and thank you for your thoughtful contributions as always!
No it's not 'it is what it is', it's dangerous. Chickens will fall in and die especially when you put fish in. It should only be as deep as they can stand and easily walk out. Take on the advice, no other wildlife can get out either. It's currently a death trap and others will blindly follow you. You also have a baby ... What if she wanders into it, it happens you know. It's not safe, full stop.
Hey Sean, nice pond! Looks great. Sealing at the end with just a bit of bentonite clay was a nice touch. As far as what species to add, I would lean towards trying to build havitat for dragonfly and damselfly larvae, which means NO FISH. "Plant Butomus umbellatus, Cyperus, Iris, Lythrum salicaria, Pontederia species on the shallow pond shelves. The larvae will secure itself onto the stem." As always, I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what you come up with next!
I don't have chickens anymore but would love to add a pond for water catchment to my property. Thanks for sharing the process. It looks fantastic and really practical 🙂
Hi Sean, I built a pond similar to this in my chicken run. We did have some losses because our sides were too steep. I'm not sure what is too steep for safety, but I wanted to toss that out there as a (very important) design consideration.
I hope he does something quickly to save the chickens from drowning. It's so dangerous. Not only will they slip but they'll bump each other in. Poor girls, I found this stressful to watch. No common sense it seems.
There are ledges that are easy to stand on and get out from that are baked into the design, but you are absolutely right to suggest being careful. Some additional design considerations will be happening soon!
With a large following comes responsibility... You didn't mention anything about chicken safety and there are cliffs not safe ledges. Chickens couldn't stand in the deepest part so they will drown. Others will blindly follow you without thinking, most people are like that, so you need to be very careful what you promote as others will follow
Good morning from a small acreage in PEI Canada. You've inspired me to start my own chicken yard and composting system. Best wishes and hope you have a wonderful day.
I was thinking the thing. Right now they free range all over the property but love to hang out on my front porch. I would rather them hang out in their own space and then let them out to free range. I am inspired by this space.
I'm in East as well, near Cardigan. That's exactly what I was thinking to do too, but I'm brand new at tending to chickens so I'm focused on just getting them safe and healthy through the winter.
Nice! I've started making a pond in our garden, but it's been raining so much this year, I haven't managed to finish it. The grass grew back. I'm trying to do it without a liner and see if the water holds, but if that doesn't work, I will have to use a liner, when I get back to it. At the moment, we still have rain in buckets. Lovely seeing Sacha and Zelda!
those are some lucky chickens. love your process and how you share it with us. not just with this pond but it would be cool to see what wildlife visits your properties with the multitudes of ponds and food sources about, loved your masonry bee houses and how well they thrive there
I recommend you purchase a length of Soaker Hose in a coil connected to a Fish Tank Air Pump, and place in the bottom of your Pond, to keep the water Aerated 💯
Lovely pond. Great idea. I wouldn't get goldfish though - they will raise nutient levels with their poo and will eat all the possible frogspawn and tadpoles and lots of other healthy life in there. If you are longing to watch goldfish (they are relaxing ) put them somewhere where you sit and don't mind them eating all the goodness and doing lots of poo!
Aquatic plant life number 1, but I heard someone say they tried it with just plants and a small fountain pump, for a smaller pond, but she added guppies and said it still made a difference… I’d probably try the mosquito fish … but another person I saw, put algae eating snails, 3 varieties of plants and the mosquito fish with no fountain pump.
I use goldfish in my ponds .. they will keep the mosquitos larva cleaned up .. but they are mostly a vegetarian fish .. so I grow duckweed in a separate tank as a source of food .. but I also feed some fish flakes .. big container at pet supply in a Walmart. No need to aerate .. the goldfish are tuff .. they can handle pretty cold temperatures too .. but keeping some in a tank in a greenhouse will give you more options.
Really great idea, and I've been thinking of doing the same. Those sides are way too steep and the water deep enough to have some chickens get drowned soon enough. Need to make it safer and be mindful people will copy you without thinking.
Put in a copper ionizer or any copper. I put in a tiny tiny bit of copper sulfate in my duck pool. It keeps algae away for a long time! It doesn't take much at all but if it worries you you can put any type of solid copper in it instead.
Getting this correct can be tough. I've known a few people who have used copper ionizers and killed all their fish this way. Biggest way to prevent algae is proper aeration and nutrient load.
Instead of goldfish I would use feeder tuffies. They are actually a native fish, most pet stores have them. They’ll breed but not crazy. Their smaller size means they won’t put too much bioload pressure on the pond.
Thanks for the update. I think I have what I need to make this, or will once I sort teh stones when digging the hole. I would need some shade, as I don't have much for trees where I would put it. Would tall grasses be enough shade for the 1st year while I get willow and elderberry established?
Fast way to jump start the biology - If you know someone with a well established aquarium - Get one of their dirty filters. It will be full of good nitrates (NO3). Rinse filter in rainwater & pour in pond. It's good for the duck weed and >AZOLLA < 🖖👍 -KJ
Given your design, and having red Keith's farm out comment, how about simply running a plank side to side perhaps with grooves sawed in for critters going for a splash in over their heads? It would provide cover as well.
I seen a blog somewhere in which a woman used kitty litter to make a pond for her ducks. She bought un scented clumping litter from Walmart......I think it has bentonite clay in it so it seals. Then she capped the pond with rocks so the ducks feet would not penetrate clay seal. I have a spare pool liner so I was thinking about using that not sure if it would be good because it may have some chlorine residue on it.
🐳🐳🦩🦩Feeder guppies are cheap, prolific and a good source of protein for the chickens. I keep a tank inside so a few breed new stock over the winter. -KJ
I have a bunch of comments for you Sean, born out of best wishes and a lot of experience in this area. Take any of this as you wish - and I hope some of this benefits other viewers.
A really good way to prevent wildlife dying in your ponds is to terrace them. It's much better to have steps than slopes, for several reasons (one big reason is the creation of a thermal layer called a phototropic layer - and it's important that this is a distinct section of the pond, and not a linear gradient), but one major one is that if something with claws falls into the pond, if you have steps they can get out without ripping your liner, but if you have slopes, then they are extremely likely to rip the liner. Layers also allow for the placement of larger keystones, which can be used as stepping stones (for humans and wildlife) even underwater. They also allow for the creation of underground crevices and caves, which allow fish to escape/hide from predators. I would also recommend putting in some smaller sized stones (pea gravel) inside the pond (and ideally in aeration zone - see my next comment), as this is habitat for beneficial bacteria. It's important to also have these smaller stones in the deepest portion of the pond, where the water will be the coolest, as the most beneficial bacteria is cold water bacteria.
I would also try to add some kind of splashing zone to get good aeration. This will help keep mosquitoes away, help keep decomposition aerobic, which can prevent Giardia, helps with other chemistry issues that can arise, and helps fish quality of life. For example, designing in even the smallest waterfall/pooling zone will do wonders for a pond, and could be run with a solar pump. Not only that, but bees really like flowing water, with pooling zones, and would also allow for dragonflies, which can solve many problems in a food forest.
For anyone who knows my content, they will know I have gained a lot of experience with ponds and pond design and several deep dive videos to help out. I'm also a big proponent of having an underground reservoir, so that it simulates underground aquifers. This allows better pond water turnover, and allows water to get out of sun UV, which also helps break the algae cycle. My pond water is crystal clear, we get the water tested frequently, and have tons of frogs and dragonflies (an indicator of healthy ecosystem) in our 50,000 gallon pond.
It's nice that you share your vast experience. I'm from Poland and I watch both of you.
Finished rocking my own DIY, low-tech pond (4' at max depth) just today. Total cost
@@formidableflora5951 That's awesome! Fish are a must, because you want to get a CO2 load in there to balance the chemistry. You'd also want it for the nitrogen (pee), but there would be no shortage of nitrogen in a chicken setup from rainwater leechate. As for what fish to go for, I went with Koi because they are a riverfish and pick up rocks, eat the algae off them and spit them back out. They are a cleaning crew. They are also a great financial investment, as koi can sell quite well if one was so inclined. Another option is tilapia or sunfish/bass for a food source. It depends on the size of the pond. Something smaller like this, you can also go with mosquito fish just to keep the mosquitoes down (they eat about 300 larvae each day, per fish. As far as cons, there are no cons, only perhaps the price to buy them (and if something like a mink keeps stealing them).
Really wonderful ideas here and certainly worth while for anyone reading comments to visit Keiths channel, watch his videos and subscribe to him! SO much information. There are limiting factors for real with this project. I would have loved to make it all more gentle in the angle and have more steps in there. I certainly understand the value in that for sure. It is just a very specific and tight area we have to work with so oh well, it is what it is!
More plant life will certainly happen, perhaps fish but I may want to see if plants can do all the work so insects can habitate in here as well... It'll all unfold and thank you for your thoughtful contributions as always!
No it's not 'it is what it is', it's dangerous. Chickens will fall in and die especially when you put fish in. It should only be as deep as they can stand and easily walk out. Take on the advice, no other wildlife can get out either. It's currently a death trap and others will blindly follow you. You also have a baby ... What if she wanders into it, it happens you know. It's not safe, full stop.
Love the no cost build, Juan keep doing what you're doing, looking great!
Hey Sean, nice pond! Looks great. Sealing at the end with just a bit of bentonite clay was a nice touch.
As far as what species to add, I would lean towards trying to build havitat for dragonfly and damselfly larvae, which means NO FISH.
"Plant Butomus umbellatus, Cyperus, Iris, Lythrum salicaria, Pontederia species on the shallow pond shelves. The larvae will secure itself onto the stem."
As always, I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what you come up with next!
Great ideas and I understand why there would be hesitation to add fish, we'll have to see how it unfolds...
I don't have chickens anymore but would love to add a pond for water catchment to my property. Thanks for sharing the process. It looks fantastic and really practical 🙂
Hi Sean, I built a pond similar to this in my chicken run. We did have some losses because our sides were too steep.
I'm not sure what is too steep for safety, but I wanted to toss that out there as a (very important) design consideration.
Watching that chicken go nearly a$$ over teakettle, I wondered about the slope. Looks dangerous for chickens who carry their weight so high.
I hope he does something quickly to save the chickens from drowning. It's so dangerous. Not only will they slip but they'll bump each other in. Poor girls, I found this stressful to watch. No common sense it seems.
There are ledges that are easy to stand on and get out from that are baked into the design, but you are absolutely right to suggest being careful. Some additional design considerations will be happening soon!
With a large following comes responsibility... You didn't mention anything about chicken safety and there are cliffs not safe ledges. Chickens couldn't stand in the deepest part so they will drown. Others will blindly follow you without thinking, most people are like that, so you need to be very careful what you promote as others will follow
Good morning from a small acreage in PEI Canada. You've inspired me to start my own chicken yard and composting system. Best wishes and hope you have a wonderful day.
I was thinking the thing. Right now they free range all over the property but love to hang out on my front porch. I would rather them hang out in their own space and then let them out to free range. I am inspired by this space.
I'm in eastern PEI, where are you? I do the composting over the winter and move my girls around in the summer so I can grow in the under cover space.
I'm in East as well, near Cardigan. That's exactly what I was thinking to do too, but I'm brand new at tending to chickens so I'm focused on just getting them safe and healthy through the winter.
So great!
ive had success with cattails in tubs, with the goal of trying them out as a food crop.
my next goal is to try using my tubs as crawfish grow out
that's a great idea!
Very cool, perhaps we'll add them in, although most likely is they'll add themselves!
Nice! I've started making a pond in our garden, but it's been raining so much this year, I haven't managed to finish it. The grass grew back. I'm trying to do it without a liner and see if the water holds, but if that doesn't work, I will have to use a liner, when I get back to it. At the moment, we still have rain in buckets. Lovely seeing Sacha and Zelda!
So much rain here too, but just all of a sudden
those are some lucky chickens. love your process and how you share it with us. not just with this pond but it would be cool to see what wildlife visits your properties with the multitudes of ponds and food sources about, loved your masonry bee houses and how well they thrive there
I recommend you purchase a length of Soaker Hose in a coil connected to a Fish Tank Air Pump, and place in the bottom of your Pond, to keep the water Aerated 💯
Shaping up nicely.
What an amazing idea it looks great and a fantastic use for old greenhouse plastic
Hopefully it can last a while!
Love it. I was looking forward to seeing how this turned out.
So much more to have happen with this project!
Lovely pond. Great idea. I wouldn't get goldfish though - they will raise nutient levels with their poo and will eat all the possible frogspawn and tadpoles and lots of other healthy life in there. If you are longing to watch goldfish (they are relaxing ) put them somewhere where you sit and don't mind them eating all the goodness and doing lots of poo!
Wr may skip fish and try to do things just with plants
Looks nice and free makes it even better😊
Thanks and thanks!
Aquatic plant life number 1, but I heard someone say they tried it with just plants and a small fountain pump, for a smaller pond, but she added guppies and said it still made a difference… I’d probably try the mosquito fish … but another person I saw, put algae eating snails, 3 varieties of plants and the mosquito fish with no fountain pump.
Thanks!
I use goldfish in my ponds .. they will keep the mosquitos larva cleaned up .. but they are mostly a vegetarian fish .. so I grow duckweed in a separate tank as a source of food .. but I also feed some fish flakes .. big container at pet supply in a Walmart. No need to aerate .. the goldfish are tuff .. they can handle pretty cold temperatures too .. but keeping some in a tank in a greenhouse will give you more options.
I've used goldfish before they are incredibly strong
you might be able to use totes, those plastic squash crates, and filter floss to make an addhoc cannister filter
Really great idea, and I've been thinking of doing the same. Those sides are way too steep and the water deep enough to have some chickens get drowned soon enough. Need to make it safer and be mindful people will copy you without thinking.
I hear ya. The 3rd video in the series addresses this question/concern.
Put in a copper ionizer or any copper.
I put in a tiny tiny bit of copper sulfate in my duck pool. It keeps algae away for a long time! It doesn't take much at all but if it worries you you can put any type of solid copper in it instead.
Getting this correct can be tough. I've known a few people who have used copper ionizers and killed all their fish this way. Biggest way to prevent algae is proper aeration and nutrient load.
We added duckweed and that is super competitive and hungry AND feeds the hens so hopefully that can do the work
I like it …
This looks great! Do you get hard freezes where you are in NY? Ive thought about adding small mosquito fish to my pond but id have to dig much deeper.
We definitely get cold here. It is almost 3.5' deep so fish could over winter if we wanted to add them...
Instead of goldfish I would use feeder tuffies. They are actually a native fish, most pet stores have them. They’ll breed but not crazy. Their smaller size means they won’t put too much bioload pressure on the pond.
Good note, I will keep that in mind
I think I would get some water lilies for the pond
Nice!
Got any tadpoles or pollywogs in that ditch?
If you add them to the pond,they could be self harvesting chicken snacks and bug catchers.
We may take some water and edge goo from those living systems to spike this more...
Looks beutiful
Hey thanks!
Very cool!
Thanks for the update. I think I have what I need to make this, or will once I sort teh stones when digging the hole. I would need some shade, as I don't have much for trees where I would put it. Would tall grasses be enough shade for the 1st year while I get willow and elderberry established?
If you add a bunch of duckweed to the surface that will cool off and shade the pond really well...
Fast way to jump start the biology -
If you know someone with a well established aquarium - Get one of their dirty filters. It will be full of good nitrates (NO3). Rinse filter in rainwater & pour in pond. It's good for the duck weed and >AZOLLA < 🖖👍 -KJ
Nice, that makes sense!
Given your design, and having red Keith's farm out comment, how about simply running a plank side to side perhaps with grooves sawed in for critters going for a splash in over their heads? It would provide cover as well.
I seen a blog somewhere in which a woman used kitty litter to make a pond for her ducks. She bought un scented clumping litter from Walmart......I think it has bentonite clay in it so it seals. Then she capped the pond with rocks so the ducks feet would not penetrate clay seal. I have a spare pool liner so I was thinking about using that not sure if it would be good because it may have some chlorine residue on it.
Interesting idea
How deep did you make it? I would love to do that too for my hens
3' in the middle or even a tiny bit deeper. Should allow for some really cool water down below
No clay to line with in upstate NY?
The pond has a greenhouse poly liner...
Are you testing for toxic blue-green algae blooms?
We haven't
put in a few mosquito fish.
🐳🐳🦩🦩Feeder guppies are cheap, prolific and a good source of protein for the chickens.
I keep a tank inside so a few breed new stock over the winter. -KJ