Flooring for duck pen

[Spyderk117]

Hi! I am wondering what would look nice and work for the ducks bedding/flooring in the duck pen? I am using hay right now but when it gets wet it is really gross.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Shaving are ok,maybe just a little bit of hey for them to lay on?

 

[Keah]

I have tried hay for my ducks and yes, it is gross. I have also tried shaving and although they look nice as the start, they just get too messy too fast...For me I have used an old mat (yes I know it sounds weird) but it is a huge old carpet mat that I got at a garage sale and I can just pick it up and hose it when it gets too dirty. It is absorbent too! But yeah any bedding you use will get gross with that many duckies! hehe

 

[Spyderk117]

Shaving are ok,maybe just a little bit of hey for them to lay on?

I have tried hay for my ducks and yes, it is gross. I have also tried shaving and although they look nice as the start, they just get too messy too fast...For me I have used an old mat (yes I know it sounds weird) but it is a huge old carpet mat that I got at a garage sale and I can just pick it up and hose it when it gets too dirty. It is absorbent too! But yeah any bedding you use will get gross with that many duckies! hehe

Okay, thank you!
Yeah it gets pretty bad!

 

[Cherib603]

I'm having very good luck with mulch. The kind you buy in bags for your garden. I first laid down some Stall Dry to help with absorbancy, then some DE, then a thick layer of mulch. I simply rake it over a couple of times a week and it doesn't smell and the ducks can still dig thru it.
I'd use something else, like patio stone, around the pool area though.

 

[chickens really]

I use small rock...Very easy to hose off. Has not caused injury to their feet. Mine free range most of the day.
I also have sidewalk blocks for them to lay on and piece of rubber stall mat that I hose off.
No flies, mud, or stink....

 

[Spyderk117]

I'm having very good luck with mulch. The kind you buy in bags for your garden. I first laid down some Stall Dry to help with absorbancy, then some DE, then a thick layer of mulch. I simply rake it over a couple of times a week and it doesn't smell and the ducks can still dig thru it.
I'd use something else, like patio stone, around the pool area though.

I might try mulch.
Don't your ducks get it all muddy though?

 

[Spyderk117]

I use small rock...Very easy to hose off. Has not caused injury to their feet. Mine free range most of the day.
I also have sidewalk blocks for them to lay on and piece of rubber stall mat that I hose off.
No flies, mud, or stink....

I am planing on putting small rocks around their pool area.
The first picture I uploaded is a old picture.

 

[chickens really]

I am planing on putting small rocks around their pool area.
The first picture I uploaded is a old picture.

Yeah, you pretty much have to try things and then see what actually works best for your set up. So far what I do has been working very well for me.
Mine live in a 10x10 dog run with an extra large dog house as shelter. I have six Ducks. Two are Call Ducks.
Nice set up you have.
I keep my pool outside the run. They use it during the times I free range so the pen stays dry.

 

[Cherib603]

Like I said, as long as the pool area has something else around it, I find the mulch doesn't get muddy. Just be sure you have about a 2-3" layer of it.