Duck outside run

[4Duckssofar]

Hi everyone, hoping to get some advice about my outside duck run. I have 5 beautiful Aylesburys. Im in the UK and have been turfing their run but it’s just turning into a poop swamp. I’ve added a roof to part of the outside run to keep it dry but wondered if anyone had any ideas on the best floor covering i could use instead of turf. I don’t mind the mess or the cleaning up after them, they are so worth it in my eyes I just don’t want them to get sick because I’m not able to keep on top of it. Hoping for some ideas and inspiration from fellow duck lovers

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Mine do well with coarse sand. In the winter I throw some straw over it for them to bed down on when outside of the coop. It works for us.

 

[4Duckssofar]

Mine do well with coarse sand. In the winter I throw some straw over it for them to bed down on when outside of the coop. It works for us.

So it won’t matter if they swallow the sand? Maybe a silly question but I am very new to ducks.

 

[llombardo]

I have river rock around the pool and mulch in the rest of the area. It helps a lot, but they still manage to make a poopy mess in a couple areas

 

[4Duckssofar]

I have river rock around the pool and mulch in the rest of the area. It helps a lot, but they still manage to make a poopy mess in a couple areas

So is mulch leaves and garden stuff?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

So it won’t matter if they swallow the sand? Maybe a silly question but I am very new to ducks.

No. They can use the sand as grit. My ducks have never had an issue. Think of ducks in the wild, they wouldn't over indulge on sand.

 

[4Duckssofar]

No. They can use the sand as grit. My ducks have never had an issue. Think of ducks in the wild, they wouldn't over indulge on sand.

Did you put the sand straight on top of dirt?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Did you put the sand straight on top of dirt?

I did. You want a good thick coating maybe 6" deep. I had sand on the property so just moved it to the run. The nice thing about it is that you can scoop the poo and clean up pretty easily. I use a kitty litter scoop and just clean out the poos. I usually do it daily. If the sand does get compacted (which seems to happen with ducks since they don't scratch), you can turn it over with a shovel to loosen it up. I also take the sand once in awhile.

 

[4Duckssofar]

I did. You want a good thick coating maybe 6" deep. I had sand on the property so just moved it to the run. The nice thing about it is that you can scoop the poo and clean up pretty easily. I use a kitty litter scoop and just clean out the poos. I usually do it daily. If the sand does get compacted (which seems to happen with ducks since they don't scratch), you can turn it over with a shovel to loosen it up. I also take the sand once in awhile.

Thanks for the tips! This sounds like a fab choice I’ll give it a try. Thank you!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Good luck hope it works as well for you! That should say "rake" the sand - not take it.