Hay for indian runners ?

[casportpony]

The colors in this are amazing!

 

[Table4Six]

Pine needles sound like a great choice!

They work great! I use pots for my ducks nesting boxes. When they are shaping their nests, the funny little things will sometimes scrape all the pine needles from the bottom of the pot, so I had to add a layer of spanish moss to the bottom so they're eggs don't break, and so far so good.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

True that but around here hay is free and my ducks have been fine with it since I've had them. Of course, I am in Georgia and although it gets cold it doesn't get ridiculous like it does in Canada.

Similar here in WV: I can easy harvest the equivalent of 10 large straw-bales in hay from my own pasture. Straw is not available at all time since there is not much grain farming here.
In the meantime my Duckies have learned where i store their hay, so if they can they sneak under the tarp, grab a bill full of hay and run away with it…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I used to use hay for my ducks nests, but, well, it didn't work out as I planned. With just a bit of rain and moist air, it was a soppy, gross lump. Then I took it to the next level, and became even more of a nature, animal-loving weirdo, and started using pine needles. They work beautifully and the ducks love laying their eggs in them. It's natural and the ducks feel right at home. Because the pine needles have more solidity than hay, they do not take in moisture, meaning they dry quickly.

My Duckies love the dry leafs from the Tulip-tree that i have collected for them in fall. First they were afraid (see here), but now they love the crunch and crisp sounds it makes. I laugh my rump off when i observe them carefully step on one leave after the other, crushing it and enjoying the noise: Crunch, crunch, crackle, …

 

[Table4Six]

My Duckies love the dry leafs from the Tulip-tree that i have collected for them in fall. First they were afraid (see here), but now they love the crunch and crisp sounds it makes. I laugh my rump off when i observe them carefully step on one leave after the other, crushing it and enjoying the noise: Crunch, crunch, crackle, …

That's adorable! My run is so large I have to use the deep litter method to prevent the dirt from becoming like a cement floor, I use a mixture of pine needles and leaves. Works great, and the ducks love resting on them and foraging through it to find bug delicacies.

 

[room onthebroom]

I used to use hay for my ducks nests, but, well, it didn't work out as I planned. With just a bit of rain and moist air, it was a soppy, gross lump. Then I took it to the next level, and became even more of a nature, animal-loving weirdo, and started using pine needles. They work beautifully and the ducks love laying their eggs in them. It's natural and the ducks feel right at home. Because the pine needles have more solidity than hay, they do not take in moisture, meaning they dry quickly.

When I lived in Florida (born there ) I use to gather pine straw every fall that stuff makes awesome mulch and it takes a long time for it to break down.wish I could get it here.

Oooooh, pine is a very interesting idea! I never thought of that.

 

[DuckyDonna]

When I lived in Florida (born there ) I use to gather pine straw every fall that stuff makes awesome mulch and it takes a long time for it to break down.wish I could get it here.

I'm surprised you can't. My yard is full of it and I don't think I'm not all that far from you! I never thought about putting pine straw in the coops. I've got about 10 piles rakes up in the yard and if it ever stops raining here I'll put it in my beds around the yard.
Since I don't put any water buckets in my coops my hay doesn't get wet at all. If there is a big wad of poop I take my pitch fork and get it out of there but it never really gets wet.

 

[chickens really]

View attachment 1625122 View attachment 1625123 View attachment 1625124

How many Ducks do you have? I see two Drakes.

 

[NettyM]

How many Ducks do you have? I see two Drakes.

Just two , my drake looks different depending on the time of year . His head went beige in the Summer but is black again now winter is here , amazing to see him change . Presley the female has shed her feathers and looks very raggedy as her new winter ones appear !

 

[Table4Six]

Just two , my drake looks different depending on the time of year . His head went beige in the Summer but is black again now winter is here , amazing to see him change . Presley the female has shed her feathers and looks very raggedy as her new winter ones appear !

They are a beautiful pair.