Duck nesting

[JillZaHulk]

we got our 7-8 month old ducks about a month ago. For the time being they've got a whole barn to themselves (the size of a large 1 car garage). Hopefully to soon be shared with chickens and more ducks. But now and in the future the barn will be strictly birds/coop.

My question: the barn has a cement floor. During the warmer months I can just hose and sweep out the poop, food, and water. But during the colder months I feel I need to put some kind of bedding down and take their pool out (they've got a kiddy pool outside and a turtle sandbox filled with water inside. The turtle is shallow, strong and easy to dump). Being that ducks poop a lot and their poop is really messy, what would you suggest for easy spot clean bedding to cover the barn floor and help insulate them from the cold cement in the winter?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Shavings will work. So will straw.

 

[DuckyDonna]

I use hay because it's free for me but where I get it from it's really clean and smells so good. I go in each morning and fork out the poopy pancakes that they've flattened down with their little webbie feet and throw it out into their run. Replenish as needed. I make it thicker in the winter so they can snuggle down in it and stay warm.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Ive used both shavings and straw/hay, and hay is better IMHO.
I had a silver appleyard 1 week old who choked on a piece of shaving. It wasn't worth it. Definitely X2 with @DuckyDonna . Hay also has little seeds that keep them busy pecking all day!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hay will mold if wet. I use hay in winter because it freezes solid here.

 

[DuckyDonna]

Hay will mold if wet. I use hay in winter because it freezes solid here.

True and I make sure I clean out every bit of wetness daily so that doesn't happen. Also, if you stir up the bedding it gives it a chance to dry out during the day.

 

[blesseddgh]

we got our 7-8 month old ducks about a month ago. For the time being they've got a whole barn to themselves (the size of a large 1 car garage). Hopefully to soon be shared with chickens and more ducks. But now and in the future the barn will be strictly birds/coop.

My question: the barn has a cement floor. During the warmer months I can just hose and sweep out the poop, food, and water. But during the colder months I feel I need to put some kind of bedding down and take their pool out (they've got a kiddy pool outside and a turtle sandbox filled with water inside. The turtle is shallow, strong and easy to dump). Being that ducks poop a lot and their poop is really messy, what would you suggest for easy spot clean bedding to cover the barn floor and help insulate them from the cold cement in the winter?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

True and I make sure I clean out every bit of wetness daily so that doesn't happen. Also, if you stir up the bedding it gives it a chance to dry out during the day.

Here in Wisconsin it freezes hard, so I don't need to worry about mold. Come spring we clean everything out.