Bedding for Duck House? Hay or Shavings?

[Lolliegee]

My duck house will be finished this weekend and I've been wondering what to use. I've read that ducks prefer hay, but I also know a lot of people use wood shavings. I'd love to know what you use and why.

 

[Mum]

On the recommendation of my breeder, I put a layer of wood shavings and then top that with straw. The other tip she gave me was, turn the straw over after one week to give it more longevity. Works fine for us.

 

[Khaki mama]

It depends how often you clean out your coop. If you Clean it out often then hay would be a great choice. I have ducks and I absolutely Hate useing chips, but I Clean out their coop every other day. The reason I like straw\hay so much is because it heavier doesn't stink as much as shavings and insulates their coop So much better. Plus the way ducks feet are webbed the feet are webbed flinging the chips out way too much. They also have way better nests with straw\hay.for straw!

 

[Chick_a_dee]

Straw...

Shavings are TERRIBLE for the ducks, they wet them, they get REALLY stinky within a matter of hours...

 

[Tahai]

I use the deep litter method in my brooder, and I fully intend to use it in my duck house as well. Peat moss on the bottom for absorption, about 3 inches thick. Then a few handfuls of garden dirt on top to provided starter microbes. Next a 2-3 inch layer of pine shavings (less absorbent than peat, more absorbent than straw) to help with absorption, and to provide a barrier to keep the ducks from dabbing down into the peat. Finally, a layer of straw, about an inch thick. I add more straw as needed. Once a week I go in with my garden claw and mix things up a bit. So far, it's working well.

Hay is not a good idea for a couple of reasons. First, it produces mold and mildew much too quickly, and some molds (aspergillis comes to mind) are toxic to poultry and other small animals. Second, most people intend to use the duck litter in their gardens, and hay is full of weed seeds. So unless you have a plan in place to hot compost your litter, or you have an endless amount of time for weeding, you should use chopped straw.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hays get moldy if its in a well un-ventilated coop and is not cleaned out often, I've used hay for years in a very humid state with no problems.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Hays get moldy if its in a well un-ventilated coop and is not cleaned out often, I've used hay for years in a very humid state with no problems.

Me too! for 3 years and I've never had a problem because every single morning the coops are cleaned up. I just slip the garden fork under the flattened out poop patties and out the door it goes. I also do not put food or water inside their coops at night. For me hay is free and I really appreciate it!

 

[litredhen]

Yeah, I have heard shavings are the best. Hay gets moldy and can cause serious respiratory problems.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Whichever you choose, you must commit yourself to changing the bedding often.
Ducks are messy, wet, and their poo is gooey. They are more work than chickens however, well worth the effort in the entertainment factor.
I use straw.

 

[headred]

I like straw. Its cheap and I can rake it up and put it on my garden pretty easily.