gravel pen for ducks?

[mandymoo]

hi, i've already got hens roaming all over the garden, but i was wondering if i could keep 2 or 3 ducks in a fenced off area?

the fenced off pen would be about 20 metres x 5 meters and all gravelled, and of course i'd have a duck house and big tub of water for them

would this be ok, if i made sure i fed them the grass clippings when i cut the grass, as well as their pellets?

i'd probably let them out of the pen and into the grassed garden for an hour or two a day when i'm there to supervise, cos of the chickens, but the majority of the time, they'd be in the pen

 

[Going Quackers]

I don't think i'd want all gravel, possible to have a section of mud? they love to truffle and that is something that shouldn't be discouraged.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

Ditto. If it is smaller pea gravel they can ingest it... larger 3/4" gravel is safe but not so nice for them to walk on.

 

[mandymoo]

hi thanks for that.

the area i was planning on making into a pen has 3/4" gravel , but there is mud under it, that they could get to if they foraged, but i can always make the pen bigger to include some grassed area...do you think that would be ok? or do they need to be on all grass?

if i get some ducks, i didn't want them making the whole garden one big mud bath, which is what i've read they'll do, that's why i was thinking about making the pen around a large gravelled area that's already next to the garden, so i can include a piece of grassed area if need be

thanks x

 

[Jryxx]

You may be able to use turf like on a football field. That may be toxic if they eat it though, I'm not sure. If not, maybe mulch or rubber mulch..?

 

[Going Quackers]

hi thanks for that.

the area i was planning on making into a pen has 3/4" gravel , but there is mud under it, that they could get to if they foraged, but i can always make the pen bigger to include some grassed area...do you think that would be ok? or do they need to be on all grass?

if i get some ducks, i didn't want them making the whole garden one big mud bath, which is what i've read they'll do, that's why i was thinking about making the pen around a large gravelled area that's already next to the garden, so i can include a piece of grassed area if need be

thanks x

Grassed areas need to be large.. i have 1/3 of an acre penned off for my Muscovy flock... they free range mainly but in winter and at dusk in they come, it's still about 75% grass BUT that is only because it's a large space around the pools, water bowls and barn? HA no all mud.

Small breed ducks won't trample it down as fast, my 'scovies actually eat grasses like geese do, they leap up to grab leaves off trees too. I am a huge fan of ducks having green space, they are excellent foragers, and while mine do mingle up and down my several hundred foot driveway(it's partly paved, mainly gravel) they mostly prefer to be out in the fields, or paddocks, heck they even truffle through the horses hay lol ducks drill holes, make mud, soak everything they are nowhere near as clean and simple to keep the outside spaces organized as chickens are.

I started into ducks then added chickens never understood all the fuss till the chickens came .. not even comparable .... now mind you chickens dig like small dogs

you don't need shovels, just insert chicken

 

[Deleted member 94844]

If they are on gravel all the time they might get foot injuries, esp bumblefoot which is a PITA to treat. They really need something softer for their area... we have bark mulch around their pond and the ducks enjoy grubbing in that. I get the doug fir orchid bark (not cedar or redwood mulch) which doesn't splinter as much and won't hurt them if they accidentally ingest it looking for bugs. They also have an area of moss and sand. I'd imagine that rubber mulch could poison them if they are eating it (which they will if foraging). Grass is ideal, tho, if you can swing it.

 

[Deleted member 94844]

Are you planning to have a pool of water for them in this area?

 

[ducksinarow]

Some people cover their gavel with sand. This would not hurt their feet. It is said to provide good drainage.