I have a Welsh Harlequin duck and a Khaki Campbell drake - about 2 months old now. We have them in a decent sized pen, about 6x10. It has an old dog house for their coop, though they only use it when it rains heavy, otherwise they hang out under the large hydrangea bush. LOL There is a small kiddie pool that I have to clean all - the - time, and their food/water dishes. My problem is that even though I have put down about 2-3" of sand and have spread a bit of Sweet PDZ over the ground (though I don't know how much I should use), it still constantly stinks. My hubby is NOT happy, esp since their pen is next to our back door and patio where we grill/eat a lot. I rake it through every day, change the water constantly, but nothing seems to help. So, I am now wondering if I should let them have run of the back yard during the day when I'm home. It is enclosed with a cyclone fence, 4' high. We do have a couple of cats and a Shih Tzu dog, but ever since the female pecked at the dog through the fence he is scared of them. LOL And he wouldn't be in the yard with them anyway. Only possibly the cats would go in there, as they can go over the fence all over the place.
So, question is, should I let the free roam some in hopes of cutting down on smell? Is there anything else I can do to the pen to help with the odor? Should I trash the pen and do something totally different for them?
Thanks for the help - I really want to keep them but I have to keep everyone happy.
So, question is, should I let the free roam some in hopes of cutting down on smell? Is there anything else I can do to the pen to help with the odor? Should I trash the pen and do something totally different for them?
Thanks for the help - I really want to keep them but I have to keep everyone happy.