Ducks choosing to sleep on concrete

[TheAmundsons]

We have 2 ducks that are about 19 weeks old, and they share a coop with our chickens. At night, the chickens go up into the coop (our coop has 2 levels), and the ducks stay down on the bottom level. The bottom level just has a concrete floor, so we have provided a place that has bedding, as well as a nest box. We weren't sure if the ducks could make it up into the coop, but we found one of them up there one day, so we know they're able to do it. However, they ALWAYS choose to sleep on the concrete floor, snuggled together. I'm worried that when it starts to cool down, they'll freeze! Does anyone know why they're doing this, or have suggestions on teaching them to sleep on the bedding?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Why not cover the whole bottom floor in shavings. I use deep litter and all I do is go in daily scoop out wet poop fluff and add as needed. Cold concrete is not going to feel so good in winter in SD. They might like it now though because it's cooler in summer.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

Yes! I agree with Miss Lydia... if you are worried about her sleeping on the concrete then just put pine shavings all over the bottom... It will keep it much cleaner too!

 

[TheAmundsons]

We don't cover the whole floor in shavings because we get a lot of rain, and the floor gets absolutely soaked. We'd have to be changing it almost every other day! We tried it at first, and discovered that problem...

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well that isn't good. Is it raining inside some how and no way to fix?

 

[BirdGirl2004]

We don't cover the whole floor in shavings because we get a lot of rain, and the floor gets absolutely soaked. We'd have to be changing it almost every other day! We tried it at first, and discovered that problem...

Maybe try putting sand there?? It will dry out then too...

 

[sourland]

In my experience ducks (other than muscovies) prefer to sleep on the ground whereas chickens like to roost at the highest point possible. I would be concerned about your ducks sleeping on the concrete in the winter.

 

[TheAmundsons]

We built the coop into one of our barns, so the exterior wall of the coop is actually built into a doorway. The barn is terrible at drying out (we didn't realize this until after the coop was built), and there's not really a way to prevent the water from being there. We may try sand, that's a good idea! Any other suggestions on bedding/coop modifications would be helpful! I will try to get a few pictures of the coop when I get home tonight.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Maybe they are choosing the concrete because it is cool, but in the winter they will choose a better place to sleep where you have the bedding and nest area?
Could you block of the concrete if needed?
What type of ducks do you have?

I put shavings on the ground and the ducks move it to lay on the bare dirt. They do what they want.

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

I’d see if you can get some milk crates and create a better draining area for them to sleep. Then on top of that lay down some straw or similar larger bedding. They’ll keep each other pretty warm, but staying dry and keeping ice from forming is pretty important.

I live in the rainy PNW, (on a forested wetland, next to a non-tidal marsh wetland) so I completely understand how wet things can get. Ideally you can create a better coop setup in future.