Sand and ducks and gizzards

[Duck Hill]

Question - can a duck get too much sand in its gizzard?

I'm thinking of adding sand to all my duck runs. Right now my ducks are on clay and their feet dry out too much. They get bumblefeet.

But they are always digging in the clay and eating clay when I throw out salad and stuff. I know they can eat clay and do well.

If I put them in sand, I think that will be better for their feet.

But their gizzards will be filled with sand. Will that cause a problem?

At what age can a baby duckling be on sand? Will they eat too much sand if they are still young babies?

 

[Isaac 0]

Can you post a picture of your current area?Dry feet helps prevent bumblefoot so making it wet will just make it worse.Ducks are messy there going to dig in soil thats just what they do.

 

[rjohns39]

Do you provide grit for them?

 

[Duck Hill]

My setup includes a duck house (dry) with three sloped runs (dry, moist or wet clay soil, depending on weather). I have tried adding gravel. The gravel sank into the clay, but while it was above the clay, it didn't really help their feet that much. That is why I would like to try sand.

Meanwhile, I have some ducks in a separate larger pen with grass, and their feet are just fine. Unfortunately, I have too many ducks to be able to keep grass alive in the smaller runs attached to the duck house. That is not an option. This is why I would like to try sand.

I have had areas of sand in their runs before, and they seem to like those areas fine. However, I have never had sand near the food areas. This is why I am asking about sand and gizzards.

Anyone know if ducks can get sick if they eat too much sand - because their food falls on sand or gets sandy?

Yes, they have a cup of grit available. There are, for now, some parts of the pen covered in crushed granite, and that provides grit also. But I think those parts may also be hard on their feet. The sand feels a lot softer to my feet...

 

[Cayuga momma]

I don't believe that they will eat alot of sand. And what they do eat will pass through them fairly quickly unlike larger stones and rocks. I use PDZ sand in my coop and I've never had a problem with them eating it.

 

[rjohns39]

I too don't thinks sand will be an issue. good to give them grit free choice.

 

[chickens really]

All my Bird pens are sand and zero issues. Only thing is sand is in the bottom of the water bowls daily.