Has anyone experimented with floating feed platforms for release ponds or flight ponds at all?
Its something i am thinking about for my release ponds and also the reservoirs to encourage more birds in without having to go feeding every day
Any thoughts...............

How big are you thinking Steve ?

we tried one once it was ok it was made out of barrels and plywood looked a bit shoddy but was actually quite sound, it use to work quite well just the pond it was on wasnt really suitable for it i think it ended up sinking :roll: :roll: id still prefer to hand feed them though but like you say youve got to go everyday, why cant you use a big hopper?

Probably the size of a pallet with a spiral feeder or 2 on it so the rats will struggle, i was toying with either polystyrene with a waterproof board sheet on top or water barrels lashed under and 3/4 filled with water then ties out there with ropes.

On a side note we are going to put a swan platform out in the ressie for the birds to nest on as we always have a few around and they bring young off every year, will just keep them away from charlie and interfering public

its a good idea about the swan platforms, how big are your ponds and ressies?? when we made our we got the 25 litre tubs from the parlour think we used about 4 all together the hardest bit was fastening them all togetherthue barrels we used had a handel that you could get a slate batton through so wernt that bad that way but fastening the plywood to it, a pallet with barrels in the underneath would of been a lot better they would have slotted nicely in the underside, and either roped or rathet strapped to it, thats how i would of made it it if was up to me but we had to do it how we was told no questions, some of our feeders have metal rings on them that seal the lids to the barrels theyd do the trick

dog_man wrote:

we tried one once it was ok it was made out of barrels and plywood looked a bit shoddy but was actually quite sound, it use to work quite well just the pond it was on wasnt really suitable for it i think it ended up sinking :roll: :roll: id still prefer to hand feed them though but like you say youve got to go everyday, why cant you use a big hopper?

we have a real problem with rats on one pond, so thats one of the reasons for it and the ressie has joe public coming round even though its private land, but right to roam and all that.

I was going to go onto big hoppers but just thought about the platforms as it is more natural and safer for them, may encourage more wild ones to come in.

The ressies are 2 x 80m x 40m and the ponds are about 1/4 acre in size.

ive been asked to go and sort someones rats out on their pond on sunday taking the terrier and me gun and a few beating sticks should be fun,

just make sure you can get the platform back to you dont want to get to wet

Oh yes i will use rope from both sides, and we have a boat on both waters :lol:
I love shooting the rats when they are swimming, guess i'm evil, does turn the water red though, have a great day out chris

Yes, we had one on a small lake on the shoot i used to work as the under keeper on, it was 8ft x 8ft and floated a treat because the water was not to deep, we could walk out to it in waders with the bags of feed. We had a barrel with one of those automatic feeders from target sports of Bolton so it didn't release everything at once and it does help keep the rats away too.

Our water is deep :shock: , one is stocked with trout and the ponds have carp in to low doubles, could be fun watching the carp knock it about as they love the barley we feed in the pond edge.

Right i'm decided i will give it ago this season, pictures to follow, may put a hide on it and shoot of it also :wink:

get a punt gun insted or attach your gun to a boat make it sporting lol

Cant wait for the pics steve of you swimming back with a wet gun when the rowing boat has sunk :P :P

You trying to say i'm a pie slinger?

Well i am so you are probs right :wink:

steve,you dont sling many pies mate,only into mouth :D