Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 52 Location: Milton, Cambridge
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 8:25 pm Post subject: Duck enclosure
The duck enclosure is still a puddled up swamp. So I'm contemplating putting down a few stepping stones to get round it without slipping over. That or raking some sand into the top inch or too of mud to see if it would drain better. Any better thoughts or thoughts on what sort of sand would be preferable, washed and dried(!), building/etc?
We put down some straw but all that did was go soggy and manky very quickly, so I raked that up and into the compost heap with it.
Hullo Beth, hope Rebekah and ... Jemima?... are OK
No thoughts on types of sand but what about those things they use for car parks in fields, or they sell for paths in gardens..or heavily used lawns? They're all slighly different but variations on a theme of plastic grids that help to provide a grip and spread out the pressure on the wet ground.
Obviously in true Downsizer fashion you wouldn't want to go out and buy them without thinking of an alternative first...Bob Flowerdew has some typically crazy ideas about using old radiators; I put what I think are ex-fridge shelves on a wet path the other day, which were very helpful until Treacodactyl stole them for a use which I've not yet tracked down. Although I suspect one is protecting my salads in the greenhouse so I'd better not complain too loud.
We've also used chippings/shreddings for paths in the past. These inevitably also rot away/get wet with time, and I've not tried them with ducks (much to my chagrin ) but they're a slightly longer term version of your straw, with the same benefit that if you need to you can rake up the rotted stuff and compost it. You might need to check out the health implications with the ducks though, for example, you're not supposed to use bark chippings with chickens.
beth
Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 52 Location: Milton, Cambridge
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 05 8:46 pm Post subject:
Hi Bugs,
They're both fine, giving us two eggs a day.
The plastic grids is an idea, but I imagine they are rather expensive, if obtainable in small quantity.
We have the same problem so I can't be much help! (as we are still trying out ideas!)
We have tried the straw idea (bad move!) and I think unless we were to put down a dozen bales it was worse than useless.
We have also tried the wood chip idea which was excellent. You must put it down before it gets too muddy (Or when it has dried out!) and then it doesn't get a chance to get all mushy. The ducks also loved dabbling about in it. However, we are now having trouble getting hold of another load at a decent price. One of the local farmers sons (a bit of an entrepreneur) started up a landscaping business and charged us £60 for a small pick up load!
If you think of anything else to try let us know!
S x
beth
Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 52 Location: Milton, Cambridge
Posted: Thu Mar 31, 05 9:47 am Post subject:
I think what we're going to do at the weekend is to get some cheap paving slabs from B&Q and lay a path from the door to the pond/bath and the house so we can walk about in there safely. The rest can get as muddy as it likes. I dont think the ducks mind if it's muddy, it's not as if their feet dont like being wet!
we tried everything when we had ducks to maintain SOME sort of grass or greenery and the only things we found that worked were laying old wire aviary panels down round the water source. the ducks can't destroy the roots of the grass with their bills at least.....the grass still came up every year despite being puddled by the ducks and the wire panels eventually justdisappeared to walk on we went over to wooden palletts which still get slimey but at least when you get hacked off with it you could dry them off and use them for fire wood........
Ever considered making winter quarters for your ducks?
I would say an empty stable or largish shed would do for a few, but on a larger scale a bigger building would be necessary. Or even two runs attached to one duck house, so that you can rotate the grass area when it gets too muddy. This is what I do for my 8 indian runners.
Also I once saw a raised duck house and run and it had a fine wire mesh floor of the run so the droppings dropped through, but the ducks couldnt puddle the ground and in the summer a ramp gave access to outside to a grassed area?
Hope that helps? .
) but they're a slightly longer term version of your straw, with the same benefit that if you need to you can rake up the rotted stuff and compost it. You might need to check out the health implications with the ducks though, for example, you're not supposed to use bark chippings with chickens.
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