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How to keep ducks and their pen mud free during winter.

post #1 of 39
11/29/11 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 

Right now their pen is covered in mud and making my birds filthy even though they have clean water. I don't like when my call ducks get super muddy, i had a hutch thing for them but it was destroyed. What can i do to prevent this? They have a house they can go in but it doesn't seem to keep them any cleaner. I usually let all my birds out but lately they have been dying from predator attacks. Any suggestions?

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post #2 of 39
11/29/11 at 1:51pm

I put down a thick layer of straw.

Chickens - (Naked Necks, Easter Eggers, Ameraucanas, D'uccles, and others.)
Call Ducks - (Blue Bibbeds, Greys, Chocolates, Whites, Silvers, and Butterscotches.)

Guineas - (Pearl Greys and Royal Purples.)
 

New for 2013: Blue Paint Silkie Project
 

~Steven

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Chickens - (Naked Necks, Easter Eggers, Ameraucanas, D'uccles, and others.)
Call Ducks - (Blue Bibbeds, Greys, Chocolates, Whites, Silvers, and Butterscotches.)

Guineas - (Pearl Greys and Royal Purples.)
 

New for 2013: Blue Paint Silkie Project
 

~Steven

Reply
post #3 of 39
11/29/11 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducklover1 

I put down a thick layer of straw.


X2 it's defiantly seemed to help with the mud

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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post #4 of 39
11/29/11 at 2:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducklover1 

I put down a thick layer of straw.


X3

In winter I keep adding a little straw on top so they'll have something clean and dry to stand on.  As it starts to build up, I'll pull back the top layer, rake out some of the more composted material and place around the edges or on the compost, then put the top layer back and top it off with more fresh straw.  Really sounds more complicated than it is.

Of course, last winter, it did not take long before we had a few feet of snow on the ground - no mud! lol

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

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Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

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post #5 of 39
11/29/11 at 2:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin565 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ducklover1 

I put down a thick layer of straw.


X2 it's defiantly seemed to help with the mud


and after awhile you can make bricks  lau   sorry i couldn't resist.  hide

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

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Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

Reply
post #6 of 39
11/29/11 at 2:27pm

yuckyuck

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply
post #7 of 39
11/29/11 at 2:54pm

I am seriously thinking of getting some pea gravel to put down where they all hang out the most. It is a mud pit and gross, so any comments on using pea gravel does it work or am i waisting my money?

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

Reply

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

Reply
post #8 of 39
11/29/11 at 2:59pm

Ive never used it but i have heard some great reviews about it.

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

Reply
post #9 of 39
11/29/11 at 3:03pm

I have it under their kiddie pool in the day pen.  It is relatively low maintenance, but does get gummed up and requires a couple of times a year, a serious rake out/hose out refresh.

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

Reply

Nine beautiful Runners, four beautiful Buffs, thousands of beautiful memories and counting.

 

Looking for ducks?  Please consider adopting rescued ducks.  There are many places and people who do rescues, but we are not allowed to post the links due to BYC regs.  So fire up your web browsers and find some sweet, grateful duckies. 

 

 

Reply
post #10 of 39
11/29/11 at 3:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin565 

Ive never used it but i have heard some great reviews about it.


Right now I throw the used pine shaving out and around and it's kinda like the straw after a while it gets bogged down and spongy so I am thinking the pea gravel will help to keep the nasties under it and i can just rinse off at night as long as the hose stay thawed. Now should I put sand under the gravel or is that over kill? appreciate your imput with 10 ducks and 1 goose it is very gross right now and we had alot of rain yesterday and now snow so it's getting worse by the minute.  sad

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

Reply

Living in the Beautiful Mountains of Western N.C.. with 16 chickens= EE's, Game, Cochin bantams,Light Brahma,  13Muscovy ducks, 1Embden Gander,1 Toulouse goose, 3 mini Dachshunds, 1 mixed breed, pond goldfish,  and a wonderful Husband who makes it all possible..♥

 



 

~~http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ~~

Reply
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Have you ever wondered how a hen can lay an egg every day?
BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Other BackYard Poultry › Ducks › How to keep ducks and their pen mud free during winter.