We almost adopted muscovies a few years back. The owners had just a small kiddie pool for their pair. The ducks slept on a separate roost in the same barn as their chickens. The roosts were a small tree that they "planted" in quik-crete in a large container. They used old apple crates for a nest box.
I would take them, but that's just me. Mine didn't have a "pond" and did well. They must have done fine with the chickens, I don't remember problems, but it has been a while since we had them.
Excellent mothers, too.
I understand your feelings, I learned that when I returned back to the farm I was raised on. Its also sad to loose a great time picking cherrys with the family. I have a local berry farm where we go to pick our own berries, its such an adventure and lots of fun for the kids.