Please help with our duck house!!

[JulieBeth07]

You could use rubber horse stall mats for the concrete.

Very good idea!

 

[JulieBeth07]

thank you everyone SO MUCH!!!

 

[Khaki mama]

They'll have grass in their outside area... or should I leave the cutout a grassy area?

As long as they get outside of their coop to go on the grass and forage you could do the cutout in pea gravel too.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Thanks for you input! I'm having anxiety for my poor birds if I dont completely cover the concrete will their poor little feet be ok?

It should be ok. Especially if this is just a part time pen for security and they aren't going to be in there just on a permanent basis. The horse stall mats are a good idea as casportpony suggested if you wanna provide some cushioned surface.

 

[casportpony]

Very good idea!

I use tons of them here. If you do decide to get some, get the smooth ones because they are easier to clean.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Something like this would work good for drinking water. I usually just use a bucket or tub with a board partially over it to keep them from swimming in it.
Ducks are going to make some water mess no matter what you use.

 

[JulieBeth07]

Something like this would work good for drinking water. I usually just use a bucket or tub with a board partially over it to keep them from swimming in it.
Ducks are going to make some water mess no matter what you use. View attachment 2141737

I've noticed
That's what I was thinking of doing

 

[btrask]

I use gravel base, with stall mats, and the 5 gallon bucket waterer. My weekly (Or more if needed) chore is to remove the mats, hose them down, hose down the gravel, and then I take my rake and turn the gravel. I have a ~7" thick so it gets cycled. My birds free range most of the day (Fenced in yard) with tons of cover and grass. Only in the run when we aren't home or at night. So far its worked pretty great. They do get grumpy if they have nothing to forage in the run and quack at me though!

Edit: I kept looking on Craigslist for the mats. I got the ones with the holes but I was going for price. I bought five 3'x3' units for cheaper than 1 at HomeDepot.

 

[RichL]

Hi,
Your duck would like grass, BUT, they will eat it all and then you will be left with a mud hole. So pea gravel might be better. Also they can pick through it for grit they need for their crop. If you can get a piece of Astro turf type material to put on the concrete it will be better for their feet.

I highly recommend keeping the pool located where they can only get in it when supervised. Otherwise you will have a poop filled open cesspit. They will jump in and out all day and try to fill it with dirt. I think ducks want to be worm farmers.

Some ducks like toys like a wiffle-ball or other small lite toys.

They will need a place in the shade.

You may want to read up on the "Deep Litter" method for the bedding material.
I have had great success with no smell or flies. I change it twice a year and the old litter goes in to my compost pile. It breaks down fast after wetting it and I get lovely earthworms too.

 

[JulieBeth07]

I use gravel base, with stall mats, and the 5 gallon bucket waterer. My weekly (Or more if needed) chore is to remove the mats, hose them down, hose down the gravel, and then I take my rake and turn the gravel. I have a ~7" thick so it gets cycled. My birds free range most of the day (Fenced in yard) with tons of cover and grass. Only in the run when we aren't home or at night. So far its worked pretty great. They do get grumpy if they have nothing to forage in the run and quack at me though!

Edit: I kept looking on Craigslist for the mats. I got the ones with the holes but I was going for price. I bought five 3'x3' units for cheaper than 1 at HomeDepot.

That sounds like what I was trying to accomplish!