Muggy Louisiana

[CarleeAnn]

so not used to this. Low is 32, which means water could freeze... it’s been misting like 24/7, my poor duckies don’t seem to be shivering but they are like perpetually wet... because it’s so humid their coop isn’t the absolute driest place, and the bedding has been getting fairly wet from when they go lay in it. Should I still fill up their pond? They love it... or should I even bring them in? I know I’m just over worrying- wild ducks are fine and the water isn’t frozen, but I don’t want them to get sick. Their poor run is just a muddy mess because of this cold and constant rain, I imagine it’s cold on their feet! I add extra bedding in the coop but it doesn’t seem to help too much. Any suggestions?

 

[CarleeAnn]

I sorta jumped the gun. It’s supposed to be sunny all next week, low in the 40s. I don’t think it will get cold enough for their pond to freeze today so I’m going to fill it.

 

[staceyj]

I'd look for ways to add ventilation to their coop even if it means just getting out your drill and making holes along the roof line.

You've come to the right place, there are awesome people here who can advise you on ways to get that run surface in better condition!
I'm sure they'll be along shortly!
Best wishes!

 

[chickens really]

Could you make a pallet frame with plywood and put a tarp over it?...Then cover that with straw?...It would help keep things dry and them off the Mud...

 

[CarleeAnn]

I could try to add a flooring of possibly cinder blocks with a layer of pine shavings on that. The back wall is a wooden fence so I can’t change that at all, I am going to add a tarp on top so that no rain can leak in because it seems like it may be dripping in from there. The roof is three pieces of long stone with mats on top, but when I look inside I can see it seeping through the cracks.

 

[CarleeAnn]

Thoughts? What if I were to use this dog kennel- the interior filled with pine shavings, barricade the front door at night with cinder blocks, secure the bottom half by surrounding with cinder blocks so it can’t be knocked over... Line the sides with hard wire mesh from the inside (and out if extra material).

 

[chickens really]

What I meant was for daytime use to get them up off the ground and dry...

 

[CarleeAnn]

What I meant was for daytime use to get them up off the ground and dry...

Oh! Hmmm, I could possibly do that. I would really have to reconfigure their yard. I’m probably moving in a month so I may just wait to start from scratch at the new place....