The internationally renowned event known as Chicken Corner’s duck pond clean-out occurred in fantastical style this morning. The pond itself is a glorified sandpit – doing well at the staggering age of 24 years. Its life has been filled with fun. From its conventional use as a sandpit which toddlers, Izzi and Olivia enjoyed! .. to (one of the) French-Revolution-like barricades blocking the hole in the wire that prevented any predatory fox clambering through and claiming yet another life. The ‘Early Learning’ plastic pit remained dedicated to its post for five long years, lost and forgotten amongst the chicken wire and intertwining brambles at the end of the orchard.
This all changed, however, when the new ducks arrived, actually I correct myself, one year after the ducks arrived – early in 2018. Prior to this, I had started to realise that two increasingly (again, plastic!) dilapidated washing-up bowls were not to suffice this pair of ducks’ joy of water. Therefore, I dragged the pit up to their enclosure and began the long and arduous process of filling it!
So.. a couple of years down the line, we come full-circle and actually, back to the original commemorated ritual: cleaning it!
STEP ONE: Remove the ducks (use a foot to guide them)
Their serenity is suddenly broken as they panic to reach the sides; simultaneously brown sludge splashing in all directions. Gathering momentum, they heave themselves over the sides, only to be met by the muddy ground faster than expected, thus splattering themselves with dirt.
STEP TWO: Empty pit of water and sludge
This step requires technique and muscular power. I grab one end and slowly raise it like a scene from the incredible hulk .. it was made more difficult due to a lack of sensation in my cold, numb hands, however, I powered on through and as a treat, the already-saturated ground was drenched with yet more water and mud.
STEP THREE: Let the trek begin…
To scrub and refill the container requires a total of 8 watering cans. Two are used for loosening, scrubbing and washing-away any slit/residue. Six are used to refill the pit so that it takes on the form of a mini pond once again. It is a very satisfying process but takes a while, as the hosepipe is approximately 65 metres away and only two cans can be filled and carried at one time (its all quite obvious).
STEP FOUR: The pond becomes a ‘Duck’ pond
With a little gentle encouragement, this now clean little water-basin transforms into a duck pond as the pair make their way up the brick staircase and propel themselves into the water! It really is magical… and order is resumed.
The white female energetically bobs her head up and down, whilst swimming in circles around the drake and quacking loudly – this means she’s content. The drake starts quacking (less erratically) and they both begin ducking (pardon the pun) their heads under water, swimming under the surface in sudden dashes and most commonly, using their wings to splash the water around themselves so that it gets to every nook-and-cranny! They tend to finish with several wing flaps. With this, the celebration is over.
*CUT!*
Until next time, chicks x
Written: 28th January 2019
