Astro turf?

[CarleeAnn]

Just brainstorming on ideas for our muddy duck run- I found some good deals on Astro Turf! What are your thoughts? I am trying to find the best solution for a budget... Our ground is pretty much equivalent to a swamp!! You step on the grass and mud oozes out engulfing your foot, so of course the duck run is a mucky mess...

It would be hosed off everyday.
Run is located in the shade so sun/heat is not a problem.
Would probably have a base of sand under it.
Ducks forage at least three times a day in backyard so they would not be deprived of that- right now they practically live in slop and they get their food/water soooo dirty.
It’s a 6x10 run for 2 ducks.

What ideas do you have?

 

[Latestarter]

Since ducks are plant eaters as well as bugs, giving them plastic "grass" will put a dent in their diets. I don't have ducks (because they are so messy/dirty), but they seem to enjoy the mess... As long as they have access to other real grass/plants to munch, you gotta do what you gotta do...

 

[GossChicks]

I am looking for something different in my chicken coop and run, too. I currently use pine flakes cause that is what the store clerk at Tractor Supply recommended--I don't like it; flies all over the place, messy. I was wondering about putting nesting pads on my coop floor and maybe in the little run. Maybe a piece of astro-turf in one portion? My chicks are 4 weeks old Tuesday, and I'm introducing them to the coop/run. Currently it is on my patio since I just finished varnishing it. I only have 4 chicks who are getting very attached to me. They had a fright today. I had them outside free-ranging while I was busy outside. All of a sudden I heard them squawking like crazy. I looked up and saw the most beautiful hawk pair I've every seen (I don't think they're beautiful any more--they scared the living daylights out of my chicks AND ME!) Now the chicks won't go off the patio. They have good instincts for sure!

 

[chickens really]

Sand I use..It dries quickly ad easy to rake out..

 

[AngieMaesChix]

I am looking for something different in my chicken coop and run, too. I currently use pine flakes cause that is what the store clerk at Tractor Supply recommended--I don't like it; flies all over the place, messy. I was wondering about putting nesting pads on my coop floor and maybe in the little run. Maybe a piece of astro-turf in one portion? My chicks are 4 weeks old Tuesday, and I'm introducing them to the coop/run. Currently it is on my patio since I just finished varnishing it. I only have 4 chicks who are getting very attached to me. They had a fright today. I had them outside free-ranging while I was busy outside. All of a sudden I heard them squawking like crazy. I looked up and saw the most beautiful hawk pair I've every seen (I don't think they're beautiful any more--they scared the living daylights out of my chicks AND ME!) Now the chicks won't go off the patio. They have good instincts for sure!

Hawks are beautiful..just not caught looking at your livestock as a meal but ...glad everything turned out okay...and your babies are safe..they may be back are you enclosing their enclosure?

 

[GossChicks]

Hawks are beautiful..just not caught looking at your livestock as a meal but ...glad everything turned out okay...and your babies are safe..they may be back are you enclosing their enclosure?

They come inside at night. Only 4 weeks old!

 

[AngieMaesChix]

About same age as mine...we go outside when it’s nice enough but they stay inside at night as well...got coop done just gotta get the enclosure part done..

 

[DuckGrrrl77]

Sand I use..It dries quickly ad easy to rake out..

There are so many different kinds of sand... we found "river sand" at our local rock yard... what kind do you use?

 

[DuckGrrrl77]

There are so many different kinds of sand... we found "river sand" at our local rock yard... what kind do you use?

P.s. Just wanted to add that I am NOT talking about river rocks - those are a no-no! I mean river sand, it is a natural, coarse sand as opposed to the fine synthetic type...

 

[Kasilofchrisn]

My chicken run was getting muddy my second year using it.
My dad loaned me his small wood chipper and I made wood chips from Alder brush growing on the edge of my yard.
Works great and I stockpiled some for adding this year.
It's cheap, natural, and works well.
You can buy wood chips or rent a small chipper and make your own.
I will not put Astro turf in my run. No thanks!