Small Duck Run help

[cayugaducklady]

never trust a predator or under estimate what a desperate predator will do.

 

[shiningeyes]

Thanks everyone for your replies! The khaki sure does love to swim so I plan on having a swimming bucket in one area with pea gravel or river rock, ect under for drainage. After seeing it (still don't know if they are boys or girls) swim and play in the water there is no way I could deny that! It was too cute. There grazing spot will be in our area with our fruit trees-so I can't cover it. And their run will have to be a narrow rectangle along the fence. I'm assuming you have to put something down? With the chickens my mom just has dirt since they love their dirt baths. But duck poop is so runny! Their water and food will be inside the coop separate from their sleeping are with a grate underneath that will drain out (at least that's my husbands plan

) And the sleeping side I will do the deep litter method maybe? But I'm assuming I'd have to put something down in the run. That's what's getting me. We are also hoping to use them as lawn mowers for this 40x50 space but will it end up just being a poopy mess? I think the drainage is decent.

Oh and does anyone have any book recommendations? I almost got Storey's guide to raising ducks because it is so popular but held off because of reviews that said it is geared towards more commercial duck raising, rather than just a few backyard ducks. Thanks again everyone for their help. This is my first ever forum...I appreciate you taking the time to chime in!

 

[shiningeyes]

I've got 2 khakis and they do make a huge mess. I live in a small garden too

. To keep a perfect garden is impossible but to keep it kinda nice you need grade 3 grass(and good drainage). Sand is another popular option and you dont need a pond, a basin will do fine

There's no need to have a moveable coop but you can if you want. Yes, that size is grand for them. Id leave the ducks and chickens in the run when youre not there to keep an eye on them and let them free range when you can keep an eye on them. If a hawk does come, you will know about it straight away with their(very!) loud quacks. Im not sure what fencing is hawk proof or not sice hawks arent a problem in ireland. The big thing I did wrong was I didnt pet them at first because I thought they were scared. Kep on petting them and make them think youre not a huge scary monster and youll be the best of friends!

What do you have in their coop and or run in regards to ground cover? Have you found that one things works better than another in a small area? It's nice to know I'm not the only one keeping ducks on a small lot

I have been working at petting them and they seem to be coming around some. The funny thing is that the Campbells are supposed to be much for anxious/nervous than the friendly pekins which is how it was the first day or two but since then it's actually seemed the other way around! And it definitely has a much more rambunctious personality. They are sure fun to watch.

 

[MaureenD]

Ducks tend to be a bit much for a hawk to go after. We lost a young pullet last year and haven't had any problems with hawks since then. Shortly after loosing that chicken, I built a covered run for them ,but the ducks and geese get to roam more. I still have them fenced in with welded wire fencing, but that's because of the fox problem and not the hawks. I've also read on here a few times that if you take your old CD's that are worn or scratched and hang them with fishing line from tree branches, it'll keep the hawks and other flying predators away. Another, "I can't confirm it" but it does make some logical sense.
Now as far as the "mess". Well, welcome to owning ducks. The muddier the happier ours are. And right now, they are one big muddy mess!!!! They're naturally goofy, so it's a funny messy and not a "oh crap now I have to call in professional cleaners" messy.

Just my two cents on the subject.

PS - I wouldn't trade my ducks for anything. Best investment I've made since the last kid hit the road!!!

Oh my, love your comment..."best investment I've made since the last kid hit the road." My kids think I have replaced them with my hens! Haha, we have one still at home and that will not last too long. My hens can be sassy, but that's ok. At least they produce eggs! Love them!

 

[RavenClawPekin6]

What do you have in their coop and or run in regards to ground cover? Have you found that one things works better than another in a small area? It's nice to know I'm not the only one keeping ducks on a small lot

I have been working at petting them and they seem to be coming around some. The funny thing is that the Campbells are supposed to be much for anxious/nervous than the friendly pekins which is how it was the first day or two but since then it's actually seemed the other way around! And it definitely has a much more rambunctious personality. They are sure fun to watch.

Khakis do seem to be very nervous, but like yourself they seem to be getting a lot better

. At the moment I just have muck (although there used to be grass) but I'm doing a renervation at the moment. There's going to be a better pool with a filter system (not exactly sure what it's going to look like yet!) with a few ferns under the trampoline as they grow well in shade and the ducks can peck around, a very mini flowerbed beside the plum tree and sand somewhere, don't know yet. I definately need better drainage for grass to grow!!!!! I just put up a little greenhouse that's ment to be for growing plants, but I'm using it as warmth for my khakis

. For small gardens don't have grass only in their enclosure as the ducks will eat it all, so have a variety of different ground cover

.

 

[LeannS]

Thanks everyone for your replies! The khaki sure does love to swim so I plan on having a swimming bucket in one area with pea gravel or river rock, ect under for drainage. After seeing it (still don't know if they are boys or girls) swim and play in the water there is no way I could deny that! It was too cute. There grazing spot will be in our area with our fruit trees-so I can't cover it. And their run will have to be a narrow rectangle along the fence. I'm assuming you have to put something down? With the chickens my mom just has dirt since they love their dirt baths. But duck poop is so runny! Their water and food will be inside the coop separate from their sleeping are with a grate underneath that will drain out (at least that's my husbands plan

) And the sleeping side I will do the deep litter method maybe? But I'm assuming I'd have to put something down in the run. That's what's getting me. We are also hoping to use them as lawn mowers for this 40x50 space but will it end up just being a poopy mess? I think the drainage is decent.

Oh and does anyone have any book recommendations? I almost got Storey's guide to raising ducks because it is so popular but held off because of reviews that said it is geared towards more commercial duck raising, rather than just a few backyard ducks. Thanks again everyone for their help. This is my first ever forum...I appreciate you taking the time to chime in!