Coop/run rock

[Enigmius]

I saw someone else was asking a similar question about substrate but I didn't want to hijack their post with mine own questions…so here is mine.

I've been building my coop and in the meantime I've been trying to nail down the substrate for the coop/run.
I basically borrowed this company's design, but mine is 8 foot by 16 foot, plus nest box at the end.

I really want to fill the whole run with smooth rock and keep the wood shavings for the nest boxes. The two rock companies relatively near to me have rock I think I might be able to use use. Which one do you think is probably better for ducks?
Option one is Colorado river rock.
Option two is Golden Sunset rock small.
Option three is Golden sunset rock large.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you are going with rock I'd be happy with any of those. The risk from rock comes from crushed rock. The sharp edges might cut their feet and lead to an infection, often called bumblefoot. All those look to be some form rock that have been eroded (like maybe river rock) so the sharp edges have been worn off. They should be OK from that aspect.

Are any of them a beach shore rock? The concern would be salt. A lot of salt can be harmful to many fowl. Salt water fowl like sea gulls have special glands to handle salt water, fresh water fowl don't. But if it has been washed the salt is probably gone if it was there to start with.

 

[Enigmius]

The first one comes from the Colorado river so probably safe. The other two I have no idea.. the company doesn’t say on their website. I’ll take a trip there next weekend.

Also, do you put something done before the rock like landscaping fabric or something?

 

[PollyGirl21]

Honestly, my chickens don't like the feel of rocks, even smooth ones, under their feet. I don't know about ducks though.

 

[Jpat]

i will be bulding a trump tower for my animals this fall and under the pool iam digging 8 inches, putting down filter fabric then crusher dust then topped with 3/4 stone
Just for the water to drain. i dont wsnt my birds walking on hard rough surface too much

A pail of stone and a pail of crusher dust at the quarry would be under 10$

 

[Ridgerunner]

Rocks will disappear over time into the soil. How fast will depend on the density of the rocks, the type of soil underneath the rocks, and how much rain you get. Landscaping cloth will help keep the rocks from disappearing yet let water drain through. I don't know if it is worth it in your case or not.

 

[Jpat]

Filter fabric is just what we call landscape cloth here in hazzard country

also heard it called landscape cloth

 

[Izzychicky]

You might also want to think about how cleaning it would be.

 

[Lil Drake40]

I put down landscaping fabric then river rock works great.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have sand and river rock about the size of a large marble under my pool area. No jagged edges and is working well. I just spray it off whenever I refill the pool. Easy to clean. The sand helps with drainage.
My ducks somehow move the rocks though. I think maybe they stumble over it and drag it to a new place or might pick it up with their bill because sometimes a rock is far from their pool set up.