- Mar 20, 2014
- 18
- 3
- 24
Hello all,
I am in the planning stages to build our first flock (lady hens and ducks -1 drake Cayuga, 2 lady Cayugas, and 3 lady Runners). I have designed a chicken coop and run based on sand as litter for the girls and now I am turning my attention to the ducks. In a perfect world of my own, these would be working ducks. I want to build their own den, or coop, or whatever we wish to call it and a pond over a bed of layers: 1- larger gravel 2- smaller gravel 3- sand with some sweet PDZ added in the den area 4- light coating of small mulch to help develop a deep litter method.
I am also planning the entrance of their den to take them into my food production garden (which will be fenced in with a mind to protect my feathered labor force from predators,... who might drop flyers and get them to unionize)
...A bit of permaculture, and a bit of "I just hate bugs"... So the goal is that they work on cleaning the garden area for me. Now, I am aware that they might think my peas are tasty. Hence, I do plan some soft mesh separations around my raised beds, at least until plants like the corn can be left to snack on.
My imagination is seeing a successful mutually beneficial relationship (yes, I am ignoring how "playful"...shall we call it that?...ducks can be). So the question? Here we go.... I would like to know if you experienced duck job providers have suggestions to make sure this is closer to a working system and less like a dream bubble that will pop as soon as they ask me for a raise...or eat my plant, ...or revolt.
Wages and tips: No rent or utilities, good food, and treats...and I intend to hug them a lot which is why I am not bringing in peahens since I hear they can make a real case out of things.... everybody is a lawyer these days. I should stipulate in the contract that hugging is NOT harassment. lol
Excuse my style for putting things, but I am so old that if I can't make things a bit funny my wrinkles get too alarming... I need the anti-gravity giggle boots. lol
Opened to suggestions like a sunny day is opened to long walks
And Thank You!!!!!!
I am in the planning stages to build our first flock (lady hens and ducks -1 drake Cayuga, 2 lady Cayugas, and 3 lady Runners). I have designed a chicken coop and run based on sand as litter for the girls and now I am turning my attention to the ducks. In a perfect world of my own, these would be working ducks. I want to build their own den, or coop, or whatever we wish to call it and a pond over a bed of layers: 1- larger gravel 2- smaller gravel 3- sand with some sweet PDZ added in the den area 4- light coating of small mulch to help develop a deep litter method.
I am also planning the entrance of their den to take them into my food production garden (which will be fenced in with a mind to protect my feathered labor force from predators,... who might drop flyers and get them to unionize)
...A bit of permaculture, and a bit of "I just hate bugs"... So the goal is that they work on cleaning the garden area for me. Now, I am aware that they might think my peas are tasty. Hence, I do plan some soft mesh separations around my raised beds, at least until plants like the corn can be left to snack on.My imagination is seeing a successful mutually beneficial relationship (yes, I am ignoring how "playful"...shall we call it that?...ducks can be). So the question? Here we go.... I would like to know if you experienced duck job providers have suggestions to make sure this is closer to a working system and less like a dream bubble that will pop as soon as they ask me for a raise...or eat my plant, ...or revolt.
Wages and tips: No rent or utilities, good food, and treats...and I intend to hug them a lot which is why I am not bringing in peahens since I hear they can make a real case out of things.... everybody is a lawyer these days. I should stipulate in the contract that hugging is NOT harassment. lol
Excuse my style for putting things, but I am so old that if I can't make things a bit funny my wrinkles get too alarming... I need the anti-gravity giggle boots. lol
Opened to suggestions like a sunny day is opened to long walks
And Thank You!!!!!!
and Welcome To BYC!
