Muddy Ground

[wwestfall]

Some background.....I have some Welsh Harlequin Ducks that I hatched myself. Two of the ducks, 1 male and 1 female (Donald and Quackers) were from 2011 and another 5 ducks, 3 male and 2 female, from 2014. The new males gang up and attack Donald so I must separate the two groups. (would it be okay to let them settle it themselves?)
Now the reason for my thread.....
I live in SC and we've had some wet weather for some time now. The area that the ducks reside (two separate coops) is very muddy and never seems to get a chance to dry out completely. There are pools of water that I have been controlling with a submerged sump in the ground, so there are no longer standing pools but the entire area is still soggy and muddy from the ducks.
Question.....
Can I use a layer of gravel to help with the mud? Will the gravel be to hard on the ducks feet? I was thinking some smooth, small, gravel... Perhaps "Pea Gravel" or "Paving Gravel".
Any suggestions or ideas? I am not able to relocate the ducks because of limited space.
Thanks.....

 

[chickster5003]

Hay! Hay works wonders for my ducks! They eat the seeds and it keeps the pen dry for weeks! I live in Monroe NC, so I understand this terrible wet weather!

 

[wwestfall]

Thanks chickster5003 ........
How much should I use for the ground cover?

 

[chickster5003]

We use 2 big bales for a 20ft by 12 ft open, but the more the better

 

[wwestfall]

Thanks.... I'll try!