Paving slabbed area for ducks

[DuckinghamPalace]

We have fenced off an area for our 2 ducks , there house is in the area which they go in at night cosy with shavings. My problem is what can I put down on top of the paving slabs , it has no roof from the elements so shavings or straw will ruin so fast.
I allow them onto the lawn as and when I am able.
I don’t want them to end up with leg problems Pmease help with ideas

 

[Floof]

I think a lot will depend on what kind of weather you typically get. Dry areas (CA, AZ, etc.) would do fine with something like sand in the run, although people still typically cover the run so the sand stays cool and dry. I live in OR and we get lots of rain so sand never has a chance to dry out and starts to stink to high heaven. I have success using mulch and leaves. I got the mulch free from a tree service and I collect the leaves from my yard and encourage my neighbors to let me know when they have a leaf pile (instead of burning it, I'll bag it and dump it in my run). I then add to it periodically and as long as it doesn't smell I will keep adding to it until I decide to shovel it out and add it to my garden.

 

[DuckinghamPalace]

I think a lot will depend on what kind of weather you typically get. Dry areas (CA, AZ, etc.) would do fine with something like sand in the run, although people still typically cover the run so the sand stays cool and dry. I live in OR and we get lots of rain so sand never has a chance to dry out and starts to stink to high heaven. I have success using mulch and leaves. I got the mulch free from a tree service and I collect the leaves from my yard and encourage my neighbors to let me know when they have a leaf pile (instead of burning it, I'll bag it and dump it in my run). I then add to it periodically and as long as it doesn't smell I will keep adding to it until I decide to shovel it out and add it to my garden.

Thankyou so much for a reply,
I live in the UK, so it’s very hit and miss when it comes to the rain, we either get Tons of it or none at the moment. We’re currently in our summer season.
I think possibly next spring I will see about having some sort of roof put up. This is my first time having ducks, I hatched them 12 weeks ago so am very much learning as I go. I love them to bits and want them to be living there best life as much as I can.
Do you know which type of Sand is best as we have so many different types here when I looked on the builders merchant. I don’t want to get it wrong for them
Thankyou again

 

[Floof]

Thankyou so much for a reply,
I live in the UK, so it’s very hit and miss when it comes to the rain, we either get Tons of it or none at the moment. We’re currently in our summer season.
I think possibly next spring I will see about having some sort of roof put up. This is my first time having ducks, I hatched them 12 weeks ago so am very much learning as I go. I love them to bits and want them to be living there best life as much as I can.
Do you know which type of Sand is best as we have so many different types here when I looked on the builders merchant. I don’t want to get it wrong for them
Thankyou again

Sand takes days to weeks to dry out so if you get multiple days of rain in a row during any season, prepare for the worst smell of your life. I can't stress this enough. You can't imagine the intensity of the stench.

If you can successfully keep it dry, then the recommended sand is very course, a size between pebbles and beach sand. When buying it you would look for "construction sand" but I've seen that sold as several different levels of coarseness so check before buying a lot.

 

[DuckinghamPalace]

Sand takes days to weeks to dry out so if you get multiple days of rain in a row during any season, prepare for the worst smell of your life. I can't stress this enough. You can't imagine the intensity of the stench.

If you can successfully keep it dry, then the recommended sand is very course, a size between pebbles and beach sand. When buying it you would look for "construction sand" but I've seen that sold as several different levels of coarseness so check before buying a lot.

Ok,maybe not such a great idea right now then.
Because I give them access to free range on the grass which they love, could this be enough and then be ok on a slabbed area in between?
it seems my only other option is to try and sort some kind of roof and do sand

 

[Floof]

Really, the bedding is going to serve 2 purposes for you: it will keep their feet from burning on the pavers when they got hot from direct sun and it will make it easier to clean up their poop. As long as you have a way to address those 2 things, you should be fine.

 

[Floof]

Do you have a photo of your set up?

 

[DuckinghamPalace]

Do you have a photo of your set up?

I’ll take a photo when I pop them to bed in a minute .
I’m thinking possibly fake turf might work as it’s not a huge space so could take it out Amd jet wash it to clean it off?

 

[Floof]

I've never tried it but love the idea of turf

 

[DuckinghamPalace]

I've never tried it but love the idea of turf