Question about deep litter method for ducks

[Ingavid]

I read that with deep litter method I should have to clean out the bedding (I'm using straw) every few months. The water and feed will be outside the coop. However, if I don't clean out the poop daily, won't they always be sleeping on straw that is damp? I have 2 Pekins 4 wks old. Their coop is 2x4 feet, attached to a run. Currently they are still indoors.

 

[IvysAnimals]

They will be sleeping on damp straw but as long as it's being regularly cleaned and not overly odorous, they should be fine. When they get older, make sure they get more cleaning and more space so there's more happiness and less cleaning...Hope that helps a bit!

 

[ruthhope]

You might scoop out any particularly poopy/wet areas and then add more straw. It's actually easier to do that with pine shavings so just adding more straw on top of wet poopy areas of straw each day might be OK

 

[DukesDucks]

I used deep litter method in my coop but only during the winter, and with pine shavings. Late fall and early spring I am able to take out the wet clumps because they have frozen. During the really cold months, everything is frozen but not wet so I add shaving on top.

 

[Quatie]

I use the deep litter method. In the spring and summer it stays fairly dry. I usually cleaned it out 2-3 times a year. I had a really wet windy winter this year and had to replace the bedding early. Unless it is really wet, I can top it off with a good layer of straw and it stays fairly dry. Proper ventilation is definitely key to keeping it dry. Also the more square footage per duck you have, will also keep it dryer.

I also have a good layer of straw in their cover run. Mine free range majority of the time. But I have flood irrigation on my property. I am rather impressed how dry the top layer of straw stays in the run, considering I flood the area with water about once every two weeks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have used deep littler for probably 10yrs now I love it. I just go in and scoop out the wet poopy shavings and add fresh as needed.