Poop control!

[Amiga]

I would consider roofing, and slope the roofing to a gutter that empties into a rain barrel, providing some extra water for the ducks' swimming. I have been thinking of roofing part of the day pen, also, just to keep the bedding dry during wet times.

I currently use a very large tarp - more during the winter to keep from having to shovel snow out of the pen.

 

[Adorkable]

Hi, just wondering what you decided on, and how it's working for you.

You can always try horse stall mats. They're made out of a thick strong rubbery material, and you can just hose them off in the evening or twice a day if it gets too yukky for ya.

 

[mominoz]

My pen/aviary is on a slope (on purpose) and I have a layer of river rock, but as time went on I found used industrial rubber mats and put that on the ground. I hose down their night pens as needed and it goes downhill into a woody area ...I do have about 50 ducks

... You do want to arrange for easy maintenance as that is the unfun part...well, actually I enjoy hosing and playing with the water,except when really cold.... this way I don't have to buy bedding...I do pull some hay off my horses bale to put in plastic nests i have for the eggs. I also have 2 duck yards on a slop that I just put some hay or bark on to keep it from being a mud yard..

 

[hockeygirl56]

I am going to be a new duck owner and I'm curious about the answers to this question too. I like the idea of sand in the pen (we have clay here), but if it's on a slope and it rains, that doesn't rinse any of the sand out of the pen? I also heard that ducks needed grass in their pen - is that true or is it ok to just have sand? What is everyone's idea on wood shavings for bedding inside, also? That's what I use for my chickens, but I've heard it's bad for ducks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am going to be a new duck owner and I'm curious about the answers to this question too. I like the idea of sand in the pen (we have clay here), but if it's on a slope and it rains, that doesn't rinse any of the sand out of the pen? I also heard that ducks needed grass in their pen - is that true or is it ok to just have sand? What is everyone's idea on wood shavings for bedding inside, also? That's what I use for my chickens, but I've heard it's bad for ducks.

I don't have a pen actually so can't give advise on whats best to use there other than around feeding and water stations i have round smooth river rock[Lowes} which keeps mud down. Inside I use wood flake shaving and keep it deep, no problems ever at our feed store it's sold as horse bedding, I like to keep it 6-8 inches deep and then just scoop off wet poop daily and use pitch fork to turn and fluff easy and works great. I top dress about every 2 weeks. I don't put food or water inside the houses.

 

[Finny]

Hi all,

Just a question which I'm sure has been covered but I can't find a solution...... Maybe there isn't one!

I have 6 runners and they are great, not laying yet although they are just about 6months so I'm hoping they will soon if winter stays mild for us. My question is this; Is there a way of keeping there area semi clean? I know they are messy birds and I'm cool with that, just trying to figure out if there is a way of staying on top of it. They free range the garden most of the time but evenins and when I'm out they are in a pen around 70sq ft. The floor was dirt but I didn't want it to become a swamp so I gravelled over it. I was hoping that rain would wash the worst of the poop through the gravel into the ground. It works partially but not enough and eventually a layer ends up ontop of the gravel.
Has anyone tried sand? What other ways are there of keeping there area clean-ish or just a little cleaner?

Thanks.

I have heard grass clippings work well. They are free too, just use the grass clippings you get when you mow your lawn!

 

[kmlady518]

I have gone through many options for my duck pen. I live in the city and cant really let my ducks free range because they can fly (mallards). First they were on grass. They turned that into mud. Then went to gravel. I couldnt clean it well and it really started to stink. Now I have sand it works great. It drains well and I bought a cat litter box scooper for the poop. So much easier on my ducks feet too. The only thing is I have to every month or so from the ducks splashing water out of the pool take a shovel and turn all the sand over and remix it. Otherwise it gets black and starts to smell. But I think sand is the best way to go. Oh. I put my sand right over the gravel I had in there before. I think that helps with drainage too

 

[Adorkable]

I have gone through many options for my duck pen. I live in the city and cant really let my ducks free range because they can fly (mallards). First they were on grass. They turned that into mud. Then went to gravel. I couldnt clean it well and it really started to stink. Now I have sand it works great. It drains well and I bought a cat litter box scooper for the poop. So much easier on my ducks feet too. The only thing is I have to every month or so from the ducks splashing water out of the pool take a shovel and turn all the sand over and remix it. Otherwise it gets black and starts to smell. But I think sand is the best way to go. Oh. I put my sand right over the gravel I had in there before. I think that helps with drainage too

Nice, glad that's working out for you. Any specific kind of sand? Construction sand or play sand?

 

[kmlady518]

Not sure acctually. I was going to get play sand but the bags at the big chain stores are wayyyyy over priced. So I bought it in bulk from a landscaping company and they delievered it to my house it cost about $125. To do 100 sq ft about 5 inches deep. Its really fine and looks just like the play sand. No big rocks in it or anything.