Duck pen ideas

[duckduckgoose13]

Good afternoon everyone,
Just a quick question, I was wondering what I can put in my ducks pen to make it more homey I guess. Right now they’re in a dog run and to me it looks depressing, I let them out free range when I’m home but when I’m not I have to lock them up due to predators. It’s a very safe pen, predator proof and everything, but I’d like it to be more natural. Right now it’s a concrete slab, with carpet pieces because the concrete most likely hurts their feet, their pool which they love, and a coop for them to sleep in, but other than that it’s boring. So would artificial grass be okay to lay down? Also, I would like to put some plants in there so when they are locked up it’s not too bad or any entertainment ideas? I just want to make sure to keep them happy and healthy.

 

[416bigbore]

Hello, Pics of what you have set up would be very helpful for members to chime in with helpful ideas.

 

[Warwickchickenhill]

Good afternoon everyone,
Just a quick question, I was wondering what I can put in my ducks pen to make it more homey I guess. Right now they’re in a dog run and to me it looks depressing, I let them out free range when I’m home but when I’m not I have to lock them up due to predators. It’s a very safe pen, predator proof and everything, but I’d like it to be more natural. Right now it’s a concrete slab, with carpet pieces because the concrete most likely hurts their feet, their pool which they love, and a coop for them to sleep in, but other than that it’s boring. So would artificial grass be okay to lay down? Also, I would like to put some plants in there so when they are locked up it’s not too bad or any entertainment ideas? I just want to make sure to keep them happy and healthy.

We just gave our ducks a big pile of leaves they love searching thru them and resting on them !

 

[Quatie]

Someone else might be able to give you better advice. But from everything I understand about ducks, long term on hard ground like concrete can cause issues like bumblefoot. And bumblefoot is not fun to deal with. They also could be ingesting the carpet fibers. I would recommend giving your ducks a thick layer of straw or shavings over the concrete. Ducks also love to noodle through straw.

Plants would be a good idea, just make sure they are not toxic to ducks. They will eat the plants. Mine eat any leaf they can reach.

 

[thumper650]

I put cuttings from plants in the yard that I see them picking at. They usually just destroy them. A ball of cauliflower keeps them occupied as well. I have those big horse mats covered in shavings on my floor.
I also have some duck pictures I cut off the feed bags. I’ll take some pics when I go outside.

 

[thumper650]

Cuttings from a food bag.

Inside their house.

A cute sign the feed store was giving out with a purchase of Purina food!

While I'm sure the ducks couldn't care less, all this makes me feel it's less prison like!

Also a smashed open pumpkin keeps them busy too.

 

[addctd2plnts]

If you want decorations, Etsy, Ebay, and Craigslist are good places to look. If you got some potted trees for shade and decoration, you could put them in a pot and the ducks couldn't get to them. But make sure that the leaves aren't toxic if they fall down. For me, I have to look for ideas in the photos of what other people have done because I'm not that artistic LOL