Plants in duck pen

[K.Riggs]

Hi everyone, i have two Cayuga x Muscovy female ducks coming tomorrow and i started constructing their enclosure for night time and when i am not home today. I really want to put some large potted plants in there does anybody have any ideas about plants that are safe and they wont destroy?

 

[gilbert2]

Excuse me, but I feel that you're really taking your chances, introducing potted plants into your duck enclosure. They tend to nibble at anything, even if they don't actually eat it. I would be afraid that the ducks would totally thrash your plants. At least I wouldn't put any prized plants in there, or even any plant I really liked. It's just too risky.

 

[K.Riggs]

I thought as much which is why i asked. I have seen photos of peoples pens with potted plants around the pen. They probably just put them in for the pictures haha

 

[chickens really]

I have Potted Petunias outside my run and Ill just say they are not pretty..........Very noodled......Ducks play with everything.....

 

[Duck Hill]

Trees!!! Ducks don't climb. Anything that is solid for three feet up can fare well. My duck pen has a plum tree (with no limbs or leaves below 3' - they have been eaten). The other pen actually has grape vines. I had to shelter the vines until they reached about 3' high. I enjoy having at least some vegetation in the pens, and the plum tree provides shade.

 

[gilbert2]

That's a great idea from Duck Hill.
I used to have field grasses growing inside my pen. The type of forage grass that livestock eat. The ducks loved to sit in/on it, even though the blades were often 18" tall. If it ever got too thick, I would use an extension cutter to mow it back. This is a pole with a handle. When you squeeze the handle, it closes the grass shears at the far end. Know what I mean? I felt that having a bit of natural growing matter made the environment friendlier.

 

[K.Riggs]

Trees!!! Ducks don't climb.

Great idea, I can still have trees in very big pots. Maybe a lemon tree! Better than a tarp for shade at one end that's for sure. I have seen established potted lemon trees for sale. I shall look into it.

I felt that having a bit of natural growing matter made the environment friendlier.

Yes my thoughts exactly.