Ornamental Waterfowl
| Ornamental waterfowl can make an important contribution to larger water gardens, but they do require careful management if they are to be an asset rather than a liability. They are usually a considerable financial investment, and although perhaps seeming robust, in reality are much more vulnerable than their native or feral counterparts. Some people pinion their stock in order to prevent them from taking off for distant waters, but as flight is a principle means of escape from predators, then this not as desirable as many would believe. It is better to provide as much protection as possible.
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 Ornamental waterfowl are useful for larger water gardens.
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 A purpose-built shelter can provide a safe haven for the birds.
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The best way to provide a safe haven is to construct an island. This may be merely an island that is planted with suitable vegetation, or it may be a purpose built shelter where the birds can nest in peace and away from predators of all kinds. Although an island is generally a safe refuge for an adult bird, it is not so for eggs which can be taken by bird predators, unless suitable provisions are made. The majority of suitable ornamental waterfowl for the water garden nest in hollow trees, shallow burrows, or similar sites and so it is important to make suitable facilities available.
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| When waterfowl are kept as ornamental additions to a body of water, then the prospects for successfully raising young are poor compared with their controlled captive breeding in an aviary as practised by enthusiasts. It is important to allow nature to take its course, but expectations of a fresh brood surviving to maturity should be tempered with the knowledge that they are introduced to an artificial situation and more vulnerable to predation and a range of other potential problems.
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 Young birds are very vulnerable to predation.
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 Some plants are easily damaged.
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Apart from those that the birds might have, there are a number of considerations that should be made with regard to their co-existence within the water garden. Plant damage is a major concern, both the paddling down of marginal aquatics, and damage to deep water aquatics with floating foliage. Severe damage to the floating leaves of waterlilies and other aquatics with floating foliage can be avoided by growing those species and cultivars with the most robust leaves, and ensuring that the waterfowl population is not excessive. In most cases severe foliage damage is caused by feral ducks such as mallard, rather than the smaller and more elegant ornamental kinds like mandarins.
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| Marginal plant damage can be alleviated to some extent by establishing only those that will tolerate 15cm or more of water. It is when the water is shallower that problems of paddling occur.
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When a balanced population of waterfowl is established, in theory life should be self-sustaining, however, the reality is different, for ornamental introduced species have to compete with native kinds and are in an alien environment. So subsistence has to be provided by regularly and sparingly distributed proprietary duck feed pellets. These also help to maintain a relationship with the birds so that when a problem arises they can be relatively easily captured and handled. Food distribution can also be controlled so that there is never any unnecessary wear and tear of the natural fabric of the waterside.
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 Control food distribution to avoid unnecessary wear.
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