What to do with used bedding?

[WannaBeHillBilly]

I love the sound of your happy ducks! Mine were thrilled to get out of their night shelter this morning, but quickly tucked their feet underneath themselves as they ate when they realized how cold it is on the packed-down snow. I solved that problem by tossing around some fresh piles of straw. I will never win a landscaping award for my yard, but I sure have happier ducks.

BTW, my used duck bedding becomes part of the compost heap. While I am not a fan of slippery mud, I don't think I will see anything resembling wet dirt until spring. We are headed for single digit temps overnight tomorrow. Brrrrrr!! Why do I live in northern Iowa????

Well as a trade-off for the cold, dark winters you have a nice warm summer in Iowa with looooong days. I had a project in Iowa City a while ago and i really enjoyed the long evenings at the hotel's fire-pit.
And yes, my ducks hate cold feet too. Sometimes they balance on one leg, even while sleeping, and retract the other one into their feathers.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

If you have room for a compost heap, then that is the way to go. If you don't, it probably wouldn't be difficult to get someone to take the used straw for their compost heap.
It can also be spread beneath trees or amongst shrubs as a mulch.

I have enough room for multiple compost piles and usually i throw all the used bedding there, but right now i prefer not slipping and falling over compost. I was actually planning on digging some duck-bedding into the veggie bed to soften our loam, maybe do that with the next duck-bed…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

My Husband brings home rock chips and yes I have been laying on my back with a 5 gallon pail of water splashing all over me......Gotta love winter...

Ouch! I hope you did not broke a bone?!
I injured myself recently when slipping at the duck pool.

 

[chickens really]

Ouch! I hope you did not broke a bone?!
I injured myself recently when slipping at the duck pool.

No broken bones but bruises...Got my foot once caught in the fence and banged my Chin on a frozen horse turd...
Couldn't leave home for a few days or people would think I got beat up...

 

[JedJackson]

I have enough room for multiple compost piles and usually i throw all the used bedding there, but right now i prefer not slipping and falling over compost. I was actually planning on digging some duck-bedding into the veggie bed to soften our loam, maybe do that with the next duck-bed…

Sounds like a good idea. Best to let it settle a while before planting, though, as fresh, un-composted manure can burn roots, especially of seedlings. I never thought of putting used bedding in muddy areas, but if it is helping then that's a great way to use it.

 

[MrsWayne]

I tried that one year and the stink from rotting straw was repulsive and was terrible to clean up. ..It all depends on your location..

Same thing here. I have been trying to clean my small run all weekend. The rain in WV has been almost non stop since spring. I doubt we had seven days in a row without rain. The straw restricted the water from draining, it did not rot, and the duck and chicken poop sat there and stagnated. It smells like a septic tank. It is still cold and rainy and the mud covers the heel of my waterproof boots. I put down a few planks of wood to help but I need a better option.

**UPDATE** WV averages 44 inches of rain in my area. This year we've had over 61". That is 17" above average to date. With more predicted in three days.

 

[happy duck]

I do the same thing....kinda. I put used straw in muddy spots in the run(around the pool, by the food, etc) and in the winter put it in a corner for them to sleep outside but still be warm!

 

[Ducktown]

It decomposes really well and also helps breaking down other stuff too. It doesn't stink at all if the ducks are healthy, it usually only stinks a bit the first week or two after cleaning and replacing bedding. I guess when the dung eating bacteria establishes, they make the smell go away.

Duck poop doesn't burn plants or their roots which is also great. I've seen plants growing normally from beneath a pile of fresh duck guano (they covered their rest place with thick layer). Chicken poop would kill anything growing below.