FunintheRun
In the Brooder
Hello, I'm brand new to this site and to raising ducks! I have 3 ducklings about 5/6 weeks old and have been learning and making adjustments as I go. I need some advice on their co-op and pen!
I have a small 2' x 3' coop next to a 4' x 8' wire pen/cage. They sleep in the coop, eat and drink in the pen, and forage/roam/swim in the yard almost the entire day. They're locked up in the pen for breakfast and about a half hour before bedtime and anytime I leave the house.
I use pine shavings in the coop and had the pen just sitting on grass until they mucked up the small space enough that I started a bit of shavings in their pen as well. I have read a littke about the deep litter method, but I'm either doing it wrong, or it's maybe not for me. I imagine that my ducks might enjoy a much larger coop and pen, but I figured we could get away with smaller with only 3 ducks and a decent sized yard.
Here are my questions:
1. Is there a less stinky option for the coop bedding?
2. With turning and fresh bedding layers daily, how often should I change bedding in such a small coop?
3. Since the ducks roam most of the day, could I build a platform under the pen I could just hose off instead of grass/bedding?
I'm LOVING these ducks, but I also have a bunch of kids and other critters to look after so I'm looking for simpler, less smelly, and easier to clean.
To anyone who read this far...THANK YOU!
I have a small 2' x 3' coop next to a 4' x 8' wire pen/cage. They sleep in the coop, eat and drink in the pen, and forage/roam/swim in the yard almost the entire day. They're locked up in the pen for breakfast and about a half hour before bedtime and anytime I leave the house.
I use pine shavings in the coop and had the pen just sitting on grass until they mucked up the small space enough that I started a bit of shavings in their pen as well. I have read a littke about the deep litter method, but I'm either doing it wrong, or it's maybe not for me. I imagine that my ducks might enjoy a much larger coop and pen, but I figured we could get away with smaller with only 3 ducks and a decent sized yard.
Here are my questions:
1. Is there a less stinky option for the coop bedding?
2. With turning and fresh bedding layers daily, how often should I change bedding in such a small coop?
3. Since the ducks roam most of the day, could I build a platform under the pen I could just hose off instead of grass/bedding?
I'm LOVING these ducks, but I also have a bunch of kids and other critters to look after so I'm looking for simpler, less smelly, and easier to clean.
To anyone who read this far...THANK YOU!