4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[rich0869]

Hi, ive got 2 Indian runners, they are 2 weeks old now and just finishing being under the heat lamp, so i want to start putting them outside in the day when its not cold/wet They are the most enjoyable pets and want to ensure they are safe and sound... Ive built a run in my back garden which is secure measuring 18ft x 6ft so plenty of space to move around in whilst im at work. My new eglu will be arriving in 3 weeks when they should be about ready to go outside permenantly. Can anyone give me any first hand advice on what to use on the floor of the run. I have neighbours so cant have it getting smelly! Will just grass be ok or should i put down wood shavings, bark shavings, gravel or easy bed??? Unless any one has any other suggestions this is the stuff people seem to use. I can rake out every couple of weeks or when ever is needed but just want to keep this job to a quick minimum as "Ooops, word censored!"ody likes cleaning up poo!!! Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

[Cate in NZ]

Oh, Rich, at 2 weeks old I bet they're just adorable

 

Sorry though, I've never kept ducks and have no experience or advice to add I'm afraid, but there are a few duck keepers around who hopefully will be along to help later. Also it's worth knowing about Practical Poultry for duck related questions. They have a very big and busy forum over there (no where like as friiendly as us, in my opinion- but I do admit to being biaised ) but they do have a lot of people with loads of poultry experience, whereas, unfortunately, our duck membership/ expertise is still fairly limited....but growing

[Lesley]

I recommend Practical Poultry as well - a wealth of information on there.

 

Does the run have grass at the moment? - if it has, it will probably be fine as it is.

[rich0869]

Hi Kate, yes they are adorable, they were so tiny when just hatched but are growing like mad. If i can work out how to put pictures on here i will, ive taken loads of photos as theyve been growing. Ive just finished the run today so will be putting them outside for longer periods now they can be safe, i was so worried about a fox or cat having them i had to be with them every second out there. Its great watching them running around the garden and they are so quick (hence the name runner duck i suppose)!!! And they follow me everywhere. Thanks for the advice, i will have a look at practical poultry and see what they think.

 

Hi Lesley, yes the run is on grass but ive heard that ducks can be very messy and they will probly just turn the grass into mud!!! Trial and error for us newbie's I suppose!!!

 

Thanks

 

Rich

[Lesley]

That's quite a good run size for two ducks- they are messy....but it will probably stay as grass.

 

We made a sump under the fibreglass pond which needs emptying nearly every day - it is filled with large gravel and covered over with smaller gravel. The mucky water drains away into this and helps to keep the run less boggy.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Guest

[foreveryoung]

Ive got 2 indian runners, we had them from 3 days old. i put ming outside once their feathers had started to grow and that was about a month ago,

 

me personally would hold off for a little bit, more so because the weathers not all that at the moment

[Paola]

Looking forward to seeing the pics Rich