Base in my duck run

[DuckinghamPalace]

So I’m getting the ducklings run ready, it’s on grass so this will obviously get wet and muddy.
I was thinking of doing a shavings base rather than then be in mud. They are on shavings in a pen indoors and this works well for them.
Are shavings suitable for the run or should it have maybe gravel then shavings? It has a cover for bad weather

 

[sierraforest]

We converted an 8x4 shed into a duck house for our girls, and used chainlink fencing to create an enclosure off of the shed. We rolled chicken wire over the top (my husband is 6' and can stand up straight inside the enclosure and shed) and covered the chicken wire over the enclosure with a heavy tarp that we strapped down as well.

When we first did all this, we had an eco lawn (different grasses mixed with a couple of types of clover) on the ground. Eventually, the girls ate it all, so then we spread sand over the dirt. We use pine shavings in their enclosure, which means they've ended up tracking some of it out onto the sand; to keep the ground as dry as possible for them, we simply scoop out any wet pine shavings as it happens.

I'm not sure how sand has worked out for others but we allow our girls in the yard all day (w/access to their enclosure and shed as well), so they spend the vast majority of their time on grass.

 

[Luv Ducks]

We converted an 8x4 shed into a duck house for our girls, and used chainlink fencing to create an enclosure off of the shed. We rolled chicken wire over the top (my husband is 6' and can stand up straight inside the enclosure and shed) and covered the chicken wire over the enclosure with a heavy tarp that we strapped down as well.

When we first did all this, we had an eco lawn (different grasses mixed with a couple of types of clover) on the ground. Eventually, the girls ate it all, so then we spread sand over the dirt. We use pine shavings in their enclosure, which means they've ended up tracking some of it out onto the sand; to keep the ground as dry as possible for them, we simply scoop out any wet pine shavings as it happens.

I'm not sure how sand has worked out for others but we allow our girls in the yard all day (w/access to their enclosure and shed as well), so they spend the vast majority of their time on grass.

I have heard so much about Bumblefoot on here and ducks as their feet are so tender. I do use sand and a lot of the grass has grown back up in my large pen too. It used to be a muddy mess but right now with the sand it is much better. I do not scoop poop up as it is a very large area with deer fencing over the top to protect them. I have a total of seven ducks right now, two are three weeks old and separated from the larger 4 and one is only two weeks old almost three in another separate pen. They can all see each other though and that keeps them pretty happy. I had put down a ton and half of sand last year in the pen and had to replace a lot of it this year so ordered another ton and a half but only have used a small portion of it so far. The ducks love is as they use it for grit and also get to go into another grassy area that I keep for my dogs at least once a day. I ended up hatching out mostly drakes though so at least two of the ducklings that seem to be drakes will be finding a new home. Good luck with your setup. A lot of this has to do with a person's climate of where they live also, I am in Ohio.

 

[Duckiiess]

I've heard a lot about bumblefoot as well, but think it's more blown up on the internet than it is in real life... I'm sitting on shale here which is like slate- breaks off with sharp edges, that's what their duck pond and the surrounding area is. Was a little worried at first, but a couple months later no issues at all with 20 ducks here.
For their house, I put a few inches of #2 gravel down for drainage, then either hay/ straw or pine shavings on top, whichever I have at the time.

 

[Isaac 0]

I've heard a lot about bumblefoot as well, but think it's more blown up on the internet than it is in real life... I'm sitting on shale here which is like slate- breaks off with sharp edges, that's what their duck pond and the surrounding area is.

Undoubtedly one of the most common problems I see with ducks on the forums.
Ducks are not meant to walk on hard surfaces for an extended period of time; their wild ancestors spend most of their day in the water.
We have dramatically increased the likelihood of bumblefoot in ducks by keeping them on hard grounds most of the day, and by creating heavyweight breeds that apply more pressure to the soles of their feet.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threadloom/search?query=Bumblefoot forum:"42"&tab=618

 

[Luv Ducks]

Undoubtedly one of the most common problems I see with ducks on the forums.
Ducks are not meant to walk on hard surfaces for an extended period of time; their wild ancestors spend most of their day in the water.
We have dramatically increased the likelihood of bumblefoot in ducks by keeping them on hard grounds most of the day, and by creating heavyweight breeds that apply more pressure to the soles of their feet.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threadloom/search?query=Bumblefoot forum:"42"&tab=618

I do have two large Rouen Hens that are heavy so that is another reason I stuck with sand for them. I have never had a foot problem with any of them and just didn't want to take a chance. I love my ducks and they say if it is hard on our feet barefooted it is hard on their feet. I love walking on sand, thanks Issac.