Sand in coop maintance ??s

[bertman]

sab, from what I have read on here for the last two months, there is no need to put water in the coop unless the birds are confined to it. In the evening, when they roost, they don't eat or drink, so no need for water.

If you decide to leave the water in the coop, I suggest that you keep the second pan as a catch basin, drill a small hole in the side at the bottom and insert a drain tube that allows the water to drain out of the coop.

The important thing is to keep the interior of the coop dry. (Or so I have interpreted all that I have read.)

 

[sab]

bertman

I think there will be days on end during the winter when the girls won't want to go out in the snow. And keeping it from freezing is always an issue.
When we built the new coop, I had a drain pipe put in - knowing a duck was involved in this process. The waterer sits over the drain pipe to keep the sand from going down the drain. I'm a mess, aren't I.....

 

[bertman]

Quote:
No, not really. Don't be so rough on yourself. You were thinking ahead and trying to get it right, now you just need to fine-tune things. You still have plenty of time to work this out.

Most of the comments I hear about the temperature inside a good coop is that it is warm in very cold weather even when properly ventilated to get rid of the ammonia buildup. There are ways to keep the water from freezing. Some people use a heat-type lamp with the kind of bulb that will not burn the birds (I don't remember the correct terminology).

Since I haven't seen a pic of your coop it's hard to offer suggestions. Any chance you can post a pic? Others will have good ideas, I'm sure.

 

[crtrlovr]

I don't think a nipple waterer will be sufficient for your duck. Ducks need at least one water source deep enough to dip their entire bills in (preferably whole head) to clear the nares (nostrils) of debris, feather down, etc. The duck should be OK without water through the night and until whatever time the auto door opens.

 

[sab]

My new coop:

I have more but I need to take them off my camera. I'll take some water/sand specific pictures tomorrow.

 

[Ole rooster]

You may want to hear it but I think you're trying to mix oil and water. A duck is not a chicken even they may think they are. If the duck is making the water mess, and it always will, it needs to be separated at night. A duck is a water bird, the chicken is not. One swims the other don't. Keep each in their own element. Just my feeling on the issue.

During the day let um have fun together.