Ducks, Geese, Water, and Straw

[marvun22]

There is an identical thread in the geese section: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/797336/geese-ducks-water-and-straw
I have a problem. I have fox around, so I leave my ducks and geese in 1 part of my coop and my chickens in the other. Either way, I have open water tubs so there is water around all the time. The problem is that my duck part of the coop is turning into Aqua Land. I exaggerated that a little. There is lots of dirty, wet straw. What should I do about this?

 

[Going Quackers]

How old are the birds? if they are older, you don't need water overnight if you remove the food, i have some of my birds without overnight as they set-up won't allow for it, they do just fine, four 3mth olds and 1 mature drake.

 

[marvun22]

They just splash water out during the day. It is turning into a pigsty.

 

[BarredRockGirls]

sand just reg sand... we got 2 tons for 7$ ...... best idea ever . i have no food in at night . yes i allow water overnight . but only have hay in the corners for duck nest and geese nests o and in chicken nest boxes ....the rest is sand ... i rake it once every couple days. no smell no wetness, nails are kept trimmed,it acts as grit and its easy to clean.

 

[marvun22]

sand just reg sand... we got 2 tons for 7$ ...... best idea ever . i have no food in at night . yes i allow water overnight . but only have hay in the corners for duck nest and geese nests o and in chicken nest boxes ....the rest is sand ... i rake it once every couple days. no smell no wetness, nails are kept trimmed,it acts as grit and its easy to clean.

2 tons, as in 4000 pounds? Do I need that much? If not, would 100 or 200 pounds just work? I was just going to put sand around their waters in a 3 feet radius. I would be doing that in 3 different places, so I'm not sure about the math involved there to tell how much I need.

 

[Going Quackers]

I'm confused so your water is inside a building? or is this a pen? if so i'd opt for gravel if it's a pen surrounding the pool area, you don't need a ton of them, how many ducks? i have 2 pools and 2 water bowls out(plus one low waterer for the 3wk olds) and that covers 16 birds.

I don't like sand, i tried it in a brooder and all it did was remain wet 24/7... perhaps in a larger environment, there is also info out there on creating elevated areas for water, i need to find it i'll post back.

here..

http://metzerfarms.blogspot.ca/2011/09/how-do-i-keep-it-dry-around-my-duck.html

 

[marvun22]

it is in my coop, which is a pen inside my barn.

 

[Going Quackers]

it is in my coop, which is a pen inside my barn.

I see, yeah that would create one hot mess. In my barn i leave one chicken style waterer in the main part that is almost mess free, the rest don't get feed or water overnight. I wouldn't have open pans or tubs inside.

 

[marvun22]

the mud is set, so I'll see what happens.

 

[BarredRockGirls]

I got 2 tons because it was cheap and I have the area to store the extra . My chickens dust bathe in it and such . Plus I have it on hand to replace the old stuff every couple months . You can get however much u want . To fit your needs
I have 3 Pekin ducks , 2 American buff geese , and 14 barred rock hens in a coop at night. They are free range during the day. No runs . The hens prefer to drink out of open buckets so that's what's in the coop. One large and one smaller . Food is in a pan outside. More water buckets are all over my yard .