Dry at night

[Candy72]

I am looking for some ideas as to how to keep my call ducks sleeping dry at night. They sleep outside in a pen and have the option to go into the big barn but right now they don't want to. It's not cold enough yet here in Michigan. However I have always had the problem of wet ground in their pen. I dump their water just about twice a day and it keeps the ground wet. I put straw down but after a day on the wet ground the straw gets wet. I would like to have a 3 sided shelter with a bottom, big enough to hold from 6 to 8 call ducks, but light weight enough that I can move it round myself. I would put fresh straw on the floor when needed. I will need to build 6 to 8 of these shelters. I have about 80 call ducks. My pen is 10' wide and 50' long.
I have 4X8' sheets of plastic political signs that I can cut and use as sides and tops. Maybe an A frame.
Does anyone have any ideas for me?
TheDuckWhisperer

 

[keeperofthehearth]

I don't see why you couldn't use the plastic on the bottom of your A frame as well to keep them drier. If the plastic seems too slippery, you could throw in or attatch a washable floor mat or rubberized material of some sort.

 

[Candy72]

That's a good idea. I may try that. I had a friend suggest putting a piece of the pink foam board insulation on the floor and covering that with straw. That would insulate the ducks from the cold ground. Might just be worth a try.
Thanks for the idea.
TheDuckWhisperer

 

[Dances with Ducks]

My ducks love foam insulation, they nibble on it like crazy!!
If you put it on the floor it would be too easy for them to get to it.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Ditto on ducks liking foam insulation. NOT a good idea unless you cover it with something non-edible.

Every piece of styrofoam I had stored in our carport, my ducks have found. Dosen't matter how big or small of a piece, be it a ice chest or a packing peanut.... they will find and nibble it.