Hi everyone! I've read so many posts here in preparation for getting a couple Muscovy ducks that I finally joined!
I have a coop built and fully lined with hardware cloth on all sides, including top and bottom. This coop will be connected and open to a large run for them so they will have access at all times. The run butts up to our fence line that is shared with a neighbor, which prohibits me from being able to put an apron out that way. After brainstorming so many ways to protect from predators digging under the fence, it seemed safest to just line the entire bottom of the floor with hardware cloth and skipping the apron altogether.
If I do this, will the ducks still be able to have a good source of bugs to eat since they won't be able to dig around in the dirt anymore? Are there better alternatives or is this the safest route? Our predators would mostly be raccoons, snakes and neighborhood cats. I'm in a Houston suburb so not too much else. I hope.
P.s. I am open to any and all advice on Muscovies or duck runs! We will be getting 2 female Muscovies from a duck rescue and will add on only females from there.
I have a coop built and fully lined with hardware cloth on all sides, including top and bottom. This coop will be connected and open to a large run for them so they will have access at all times. The run butts up to our fence line that is shared with a neighbor, which prohibits me from being able to put an apron out that way. After brainstorming so many ways to protect from predators digging under the fence, it seemed safest to just line the entire bottom of the floor with hardware cloth and skipping the apron altogether.
If I do this, will the ducks still be able to have a good source of bugs to eat since they won't be able to dig around in the dirt anymore? Are there better alternatives or is this the safest route? Our predators would mostly be raccoons, snakes and neighborhood cats. I'm in a Houston suburb so not too much else. I hope.
P.s. I am open to any and all advice on Muscovies or duck runs! We will be getting 2 female Muscovies from a duck rescue and will add on only females from there.
