Duck Run Bedding

[Tookie]

Hello! So I started keeping ducks earlier this year, I got the coop and run all done, but I haven't added any bedding to the run. Its just dirt right now and I'd like to add something that's better on my duck's feet. I was thinking of getting large pine bark nuggets, they look nice and they seem smooth enough for their feet. So would that pine bark be good? My run is covered and doesn't get muddy except for a tiny bit in the back from rain off the roof (planning on putting gutters at some point). They don't have a pool in the run as they can free range all the time, so no point in having one in there, and whenever they are locked up its not for days on end. So, I don't have bad issues with mud at all, thankfully. But anyways, any suggestions or comments are appreciated, whether it be for the pine bark or a different bedding!

Here is a picture of my coop:

 

[chickachicka12345]

I would use long straw.

 

[Logar]

I was thinking of getting large pine bark nuggets, they look nice and they seem smooth enough for their feet.

I would highly recommend that. It doesn’t get muddy and I love them (for my chickens but I am confident that they would work well for ducks).

 

[Debbie292d]

Someone posted months ago about extra-large pine bark nuggets that were larger than typically found in farm stores.

Here were the ones they bought.

https://www.themillstores.com/products/pine-bark-nuggets-mulch-themill?_pos=1&_sid=e376ab575&_ss=r

 

[Logar]

I would highly recommend that. It doesn’t get muddy and I love them (for my chickens but I am confident that they would work well for ducks).

I got mine from homedepot. They were “mini” but they were not small.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Ducks will make a mess of the 'nugget' type ones that will be very difficult to clean off if you intend on keeping it as a semi-permanent substrate. If they don't spend too much time in there I would say just use shavings or straw which are both inexpensive and easy to just scoop up and replace as needed.

 

[skeeeter]

I agree with Canadian Wind, shavings or straw would be great for ducks. They don't have strong feet like land fowl so softer bedding is better for them.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Personally I use nice new shavings topped with hay in my coop (house). Each night, I pick out the big clumps of poo and if needed add more shavings. Every couple of weeks or so, I dump the old shavings from the coop into the run. This way, the coop always has clean shavings and the run isn’t muddy. So ultimately I’m using recycled shavings in the run. It works very well.

 

[Tookie]

I would use long straw.

Ducks will make a mess of the 'nugget' type ones that will be very difficult to clean off if you intend on keeping it as a semi-permanent substrate. If they don't spend too much time in there I would say just use shavings or straw which are both inexpensive and easy to just scoop up and replace as needed.

I agree with Canadian Wind, shavings or straw would be great for ducks. They don't have strong feet like land fowl so softer bedding is better for them.

Okay, thank you all! I suppose I’ll just try out the shavings/straw some time.

 

[Tookie]

I would highly recommend that. It doesn’t get muddy and I love them (for my chickens but I am confident that they would work well for ducks).

Someone posted months ago about extra-large pine bark nuggets that were larger than typically found in farm stores.

Here were the ones they bought.

https://www.themillstores.com/products/pine-bark-nuggets-mulch-themill?_pos=1&_sid=e376ab575&_ss=r

I got mine from homedepot. They were “mini” but they were not small.View attachment 4005075

Thank you both! I know I want to use them in my chicken run.
I was looking at Lowe’s to get them and it seems like what I would want. The price isn’t too bad either.