switching to deep litter method

[diosa]

Hi everyone,
I've been using a duck tractor for my 4 welsh harlequins for the summer, moving it daily and hosing away the poop. But my lawn isn't coping very well and it occurs to me that it will end up a big boggy mess in the winter. I'm thinking of putting chicken wire on the bottom to prevent predators digging in and then adding deep litter of wood chips and peat moss that I dig over daily. My question is do I need a roof over the whole pen? Does it matter if it all gets wet for the composting and the ducks? Also is chicken wire necessary on the bottom? It would be easier to get the compost out without it.

 

[centrarchid]

Yes, roof needed to limit moisture getting into deep litter. You can get away from wire on bottom but beef up perimter. The chicken wire will be weak against a determined raccoon so consider upgrading.

 

[diosa]

Awesome, thanks. They're only in there during the day so should be fine.

 

[aart]

I don't think that is tall enough to do 'deep litter' and fit ducks in there....that tractor looks to be about a foot or 2 tall?

 

[diosa]

Its just under 3 foot tall. How deep does deep litter need to be?

 

[goodb]

For deep litter to work as intended you'll need 7 inches minimum to start and build up from there. If you're going to keep moving it around the yard, deep litter will be more hassle than value for you.

 

[diosa]

No the idea is to park it permanently and switch to deep litter. I could get up to 6 inches of litter in there. I was thinking a mix of oak leaves, wood chips and Pete moss.

 

[goodb]

My only experience has been with wood shavings. They are fine and dry enough to absorb the moisture and break down rather quickly for garden compost. Not that those things you mentioned won't work, I just haven't use them. Think about what you will do with the litter in the future.

 

[lazy gardener]

If I were dealing with that set up for the winter, I'd build a base to raise it off the ground an other 2 feet, and put a sloped roof over it. You'll need to cut down the draft, as well as be sure to have plenty of ventilation. Tough order to pull off with a small structure. How cold are your winters?

 

[diosa]

Our winters are fairly mild, Max -15 and maybe a few snowfalls.