I have no idea what I am doing

[biophiliac]

I really want her to be able to be on the grass. She lives to pick and dig and I'm afraid it just wouldn't be the same with the wire there.

I think I'm with you on this -I'd keep the hardware cloth on the outside as an apron around the enclosure. Not sure but I don't believe they dust bathe like chicks.

The grass will grow thru the wire like mobius said so you wouldn't have to remove it.

 

[mobius]

Right, right, meaning where you HAVE to put hardware cloth, just lay it ON the grass maybe secure with landscape staples, and the grass will grow throughfor Lucky but prevent predators from digging.

 

[biophiliac]

Right, right, meaning where you HAVE to put hardware cloth, just lay it ON the grass maybe secure with landscape staples, and the grass will grow throughfor Lucky but prevent predators from digging.

Exactly... Then if you make some frames you can cover with wire bc lucky will probly graze from the sides and not walk on top. Might want to put some special plants, whatever ducks like in there instead of just grass. I heard they love watercress.

 

[biophiliac]

If you are worried about bumblefoot you probably have 'foot inspection' every night before bed?? Right? Looking to make sure she has no scratches?

 

[Suzi18]

I was thinking to leave the pond above ground as well to make it easy to drain. It just won't look as nice I'm afraid but I'd rather be able to empty it easily a couple times a week so she is not swimming in muck

You could always get a small fountain size pump and attach some black tubing for when you want to empty it. Just put the pump in and use a long length of tubing so that you can direct the water into the yard or garden and plug in the pump. It will empty it out quickly

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I really want her to be able to be on the grass. She lives to pick and dig and I'm afraid it just wouldn't be the same with the wire there.

You don't have to put the cloth over the entire bottom of the run. . Just around the perimeter would discourage predators that would try to dig next to it.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I think I'm with you on this -I'd keep the hardware cloth on the outside as an apron around the enclosure. Not sure but I don't believe they dust bathe like chicks.

The grass will grow thru the wire like mobius said so you wouldn't have to remove it.

Or hold it down with the pavers around the edges. I think that's what I'm gonna do

 

[Tlmcq]

If you choose to bury the wire a bit in ground it's not as complicated as people try to make it. If you can edge a flower bed or landscaping, you can do it same way. Flat spade or shovel and just run it in ground along edge you want to bury and push grass up and put grass all back down once you slip wire into ground. I just use tent stakes around mine at moment because I'm moving and taking with me, but will be burying it at new place.

 

[Steven Mazzo]

If you choose to bury the wire a bit in ground it's not as complicated as people try to make it. If you can edge a flower bed or landscaping, you can do it same way. Flat spade or shovel and just run it in ground along edge you want to bury and push grass up and put grass all back down once you slip wire into ground. I just use tent stakes around mine at moment because I'm moving and taking with me, but will be burying it at new place.

How far out from the base of the frame should I go?

 

[Steven Mazzo]

Ok I need some help yet again. I need to change Lucky's food. I was giving her dumore chick starter grower 20% protein. It's just too hard to find and my local store carries the purina brand. I thought I was told to use purina flock raiser but the people in the store said to use start & grow and insisted they give it to all of their baby ducks. Now I'm trading the bag and it says purina flock raiser for duck and geese. The girl in the store said it has too much protein and be careful if angel wing which is why they use the start & grow. What should I do?