Thinking out loud...opinions please

[jack & mommy's duckies]

Sooooo I had a thought today ducklings and goslings are so darn messy..... And putting them on wood shavings is messy and dusty. I brood all my baby's in the living room

Soooo what if I was to start now and make a brooder with a few inches of dirt and plant grass seed. And water it and let it grow. Then at the end of March when my baby's come they would have a grassy brooder. Any thoughts on this??? Do you think it would work??? Then they would also have grass to nibble on....as fresh as fresh could be.

 

[aduckstolemyheart]

I think it's a great idea, but not sure if it's been attempted before. Can't wait to hear feedback on this, it's really a neat idea. I wonder what clean up would entail using that set-up?

 

[Sumatra503]

Poop tends to build up on top of grass when it gets pressed down which will make a mess. You also have to be able to clean the pen.

 

[Amiga]

I like the concept - it might work best if you can rotate them through - letting the grass rest. I like the fresh grass thing. Which reminds me - I need to sprout some greens and offer it to the ducks - they've been doing well with just some pea treats here and there, but they need some leafy greens soon. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Big Dreamer]

I have a wild thinking out loud idea, why dont you make a wooden brooder or outaa whatever material and then make/buy atleast like 4 of them and grow grass in them and then everyday change out the brooder to the next grassy one so it will only get a beating from the feet and tummies only 1 day, and then it will have a few days to rest and revive, and then keep alternating, you get what im sayin? so do what you would be doing but make more of them and just swap them out so they are fresh everyday, and can rest....I think that may work, because then there wouldnt be a big build up of poop and they can still have fresh grass all day, everyday!

 

[treldib]

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Definetly gonna try something like this in the Spring!

 

[Big Dreamer]

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Definetly gonna try something like this in the Spring!

I would think it would work, especially if you had a small brood so it wasn't very over whelming for the grass..

 

[easttxchick]

I can't wait to see how this works!
If anyone does this, please keep us posted because those of us that raise ducklings are always looking for a solution to the "messy duckling" syndrome.

 

[PlumTuckered]

I wonder if you'd have to worry about mold and bacteria from watering the grass. I'm picturing the water settling down under the soil and getting rancid.

Michelle

 

[Big Dreamer]

I think if you dont over water it then it wont have rancid water, because the grass will soak it all up...but it is a consideration...maybe this spring if my parents let me hatch a SMALL brood then i could try it, but is anyone does it PLEASE keep us posted, that would be awesome!!