Duck Pen Flooring

Date sort Score sort
jack & mommy's duckies

jack & mommy's duckies

Songster
9 Years
10 Years
Jan 24, 2010
287
4
121
I am getting ready to build my duck pen. I have a fenced in location (it is done with privacy fencing). It is 4' Tall by 8' wide by 30' long. Right now there is grass (ok, a weed grass crap combo type thing) growing in there. I'm lookin for something lower maintaince. Easy to clean the poo since it will be very close to my house (just off the back deck). Also note we do not have outside running water. We live in the country and and have a cistrean. I will use rain water for the ducks swimming pool. I'm putting the pool outside of their run. And they will free range most of the day and be able to swim.

Other details. I will have 4 Cayugas this year (but may add a few others next year, and two chickens (parthridge plymouth rock hens).
We are located in Ontario Canada. So that is part of the reason for having them close to the house. Warmer in the winter.

If you need anymore inforation I'd be happy to supply.
Thanks in advance
 
How about using pea gravel in the run? It's easy to hose down.
hu.gif
 
jack & mommy's duckies :

The pea gravel is a great idea........but no outside running water............ya I know it sucks.

Oops - I read that, but didn't even think about it when I thought of the pea gravel!

Hmmm - well, we just have really sandy soil, and the rain periodically washes the runs for us, and all the poo drains away through the sand. I really don't do anything at all as far as cleaning the runs. It gets a little nasty in the winter though.
sickbyc.gif
 
I visited your website, Annarie. I especially appreciated your feedback on duck housing. I seems that anything sandy & rake-able is best, eh?
 
That is kinda what it looks like to me to. So unless there are some better ideas out there. Looks like I'm getting a huge load of sand..........
 
We use pea gravel topped with sand in most of our enclosed runs, about 4-6 inches of each (so about 10 inches total). I think it drains better if you do a layer of pea gravel under the sand. We are going more to using wire floors though as well and this year are trying them in our cages with some of our large ducks even.
 
I am also about to build a duck pen. I saw someone on this site built and elevated one with a sunken in pool and drain to drain the water easily. My concern is what to put on the floor. I was thinking of hardware cloth so everything can fall through, but is hardware cloth safe for ducks feet? Can it cause Bumblefoot? I also read a very interesting thread of chicken coops and using a deep litter method. It said it probably won't work for ducks because their poo is so watery but it said food grade DE helps compost and may keep thebsmell and flys away.
In the chicken coop they were sprinkeling it in between the bedding. One person even used it in the brooder of her home. Has any one used food grade DE for ducks?

Vicki
 
I live in Boston where we have over a foot of snow right now. I am concerned that they are walking on snow and ice all the time, what is the best material to put down in their pen area? Or do I need anything at all?

Thank you!
 

Similar threads

D
    • Like
Duck pool depth advice
Replies
2
Views
421
Cascadia
Cascadia
my spoiled chickens
Call ducks questions
Replies
4
Views
474
my spoiled chickens
my spoiled chickens
R
    • Like
    • Wow
Advice on how to get our runaway duck back home 😭
2 3
Replies
23
Views
3K
RosalieP
R
M
    • Wow
    • Like
Moving to area where lake is outside, help with a duck pen
Replies
5
Views
630
Macjjo
M
K
    • Like
Coldproofing. New duck mom
Replies
2
Views
721
Jenbirdee
Jenbirdee

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom