Ducks and wire floors????

[backyardchickenfarmer]

Hello guys, I was wondering, i see people with breeding pens for call ducks and they keep them up on wire with a pool biult into the ground, being that they are breeding pens and only for a short preiod it would be okay for them to be on wire, what about in the long run? I was thinking about getting a pair of call ducks and keeping them on wire for there life time, would that be bad for them?Thanks

 

[jmc]

Ducks can certainly be raised on wire, says the great Dave Holderread. If that means permanent confinement, however, you must plan on providing them with ample room in the 'cage', since that is the only place they will ever be able to roam about in.

 

[OCchickens]

I tried my ducklings in a coop with a wire floor when they were less than 2 weeks old, & one got his little ankle joint stuck in the wire square! Luckily I heard him squawking & rescued him right away.

Prob. would be ok with older ducks.

 

[Duck Keeper]

I'm under the impression that it's unhealthy for the bottoms of their feet, their legs and beak, but maybe that's just me.

 

[Cetawin]

According to D. Holderread the author of storey's book on raising ducks and geese. Ducklings and goslings should be on a surface such as wire.

His care sheet that came with my ducklings advised me of that.

 

[AHappychick]

yes nice coated wire s best, never had a problem with their feet, makes for a much easier brooder.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I brood mine on wire. I use 1/4" hardware cloth (pretty sure its coated), and have never had a problem. I also put the adults in wire breeding pens in the spring. Make sure that the wire the ducks will be on is small enough so they cant get their feet through.

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

Plus always make sure to provide a nesting area with a solid floor and soft fluff. This way they can "rest" their feet. Plus they will be chillin' in the tub most of the time. I'd use tiny hardware cloth that is well supported. Let me find the pic of the one place that I really like the runs...hmmm

here we are...http://www.faithvalleywaterfowl.com/housing.html

 

[KnightslilAngel]

I've always had my ducks on wire. Its easier clean up but more importantly they are less prone to getting foot fungus or problems with their feet.
Mine are good, happy, and clean.