Mulch for pen?

[pecangrove]

We got our duck pen finished this weekend, and I am wanting to add some kind of mulch to it to help with the muddiness. We have heavy dirt here, and when it is damp outside it gets messy and packs hard. So I was thinking of adding some sand in for drainage, and then spreading some wood mulch on top. But would the mulch just end up smelly and messier?
Or would it hurt their feet?
Thanks!

 

[Keltara]

We got our duck pen finished this weekend, and I am wanting to add some kind of mulch to it to help with the muddiness. We have heavy dirt here, and when it is damp outside it gets messy and packs hard. So I was thinking of adding some sand in for drainage, and then spreading some wood mulch on top. But would the mulch just end up smelly and messier?
Or would it hurt their feet?
Thanks!

Stick with just sand. It drains very well and is super easy to clean if you make something like this:

Here is a BYC thread about others using sand for their ducks and praising it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/581609/using-sand-as-a-bedding-material-in-a-coop​

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Kelly

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Our Country Chronicles

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