Pea gravel substrate questions and results thread

[Enigmius]

Larger, until it becomes too difficult to walk on.

Thanks.

 

[lomine]

At my old house I had pea gravel in the run, around an in-ground stock tank (it was their swimming water). I loved it during the summer and fall. It was very easy to hose off with a regular garden hose with one of those multi function attachments set to ‘jet.’

Then came winter. The pea gravel froze solid and even on nice, warm days I couldn’t rinse it off. It couldn’t drain probably. I had to start putting straw on top to keep it from becoming an ice rink, even though their swim tank was drained and covered in wood. Just the water from their drinking buckets and melting snow was enough. By spring in was a big mess.

For those in warm climates where it doesn’t freeze I think it’s a good option. I’d never use it again and wouldn’t recommend it for cold climates.

 

[Enigmius]

At my old house I had pea gravel in the run, around an in-ground stock tank (it was their swimming water). I loved it during the summer and fall. It was very easy to hose off with a regular garden hose with one of those multi function attachments set to ‘jet.’

Then came winter. The pea gravel froze solid and even on nice, warm days I couldn’t rinse it off. It couldn’t drain probably. I had to start putting straw on top to keep it from becoming an ice rink, even though their swim tank was drained and covered in wood. Just the water from their drinking buckets and melting snow was enough. By spring in was a big mess.

For those in warm climates where it doesn’t freeze I think it’s a good option. I’d never use it again and wouldn’t recommend it for cold climates.

This is good info. People whom have a real frozen winter might have a problem with gravel and pebbles.
I live in North Texas(Dallas/Fort Worth area), we are lucky if we get three days in a row that stay below freezing consecutively. But it is something to definitely consider.

 

[PirateGirl]

At my old house I had pea gravel in the run, around an in-ground stock tank (it was their swimming water). I loved it during the summer and fall. It was very easy to hose off with a regular garden hose with one of those multi function attachments set to ‘jet.’

Then came winter. The pea gravel froze solid and even on nice, warm days I couldn’t rinse it off. It couldn’t drain probably. I had to start putting straw on top to keep it from becoming an ice rink, even though their swim tank was drained and covered in wood. Just the water from their drinking buckets and melting snow was enough. By spring in was a big mess.

For those in warm climates where it doesn’t freeze I think it’s a good option. I’d never use it again and wouldn’t recommend it for cold climates.

Thank you!

 

[Enigmius]

Ok here is my update:
My coop/run is situated on a slope. Half of my coop/run is deep litter and the rest is gravel. I put a tarp down on the gravel side before adding the rock and then covered the said tarp with the gravel. I spray it down everyday. So far there is no smell. It is super easy. The rock I have is 1 1/2 to 2 inch smooth rocks, but I think I want a smaller rock to put over these in the future, because it seems that smaller rock would be more comfortable to duck feet.

I think the key is to have your coop/run on a slope for this to work.

Interesting to add, is that the rock side is attracting a lot of doodle bugs and roaches. So if I went to a smaller rock I might loose that.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Boy a feast for your ducks!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

At my old house I had pea gravel in the run, around an in-ground stock tank (it was their swimming water). I loved it during the summer and fall. It was very easy to hose off with a regular garden hose with one of those multi function attachments set to ‘jet.’

Then came winter. The pea gravel froze solid and even on nice, warm days I couldn’t rinse it off. It couldn’t drain probably. I had to start putting straw on top to keep it from becoming an ice rink, even though their swim tank was drained and covered in wood. Just the water from their drinking buckets and melting snow was enough. By spring in was a big mess.

For those in warm climates where it doesn’t freeze I think it’s a good option. I’d never use it again and wouldn’t recommend it for cold climates.

What do you use for your duck run?

 

[Enigmius]

It’s kind of a coop and run in one.

What do you use for your duck run?

The grass area is where the straw deep litter area is

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

It’s kind of a coop and run in one.


View attachment 1540534 View attachment 1540536

The grass area is where the straw deep litter area is

That's a very nice set up.

 

[Enigmius]

That's a very nice set up.

Thanks