The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: IainW on April 28, 2009, 07:36:51 am

Title: Floor neccasary or not?
Post by: IainW on April 28, 2009, 07:36:51 am
Morning all,

I have the book "complete guide to smallholdings" it says a floor is required for a duck house, my neighbour says not so, what do you guys think, they're animals do they really need a floor?

Iain
Title: Re: Floor neccasary or not?
Post by: shetlandpaul on April 28, 2009, 07:47:32 am
do you have Foxes if so it would be good to have a solid floor. as your moving it regularly you just need basic shelter.
Title: Re: Floor neccasary or not?
Post by: IainW on April 28, 2009, 07:54:38 am
do you have Foxes if so it would be good to have a solid floor. as your moving it regularly you just need basic shelter.

Hi,

My duck house is in fenced area and then the house also has locking doores, the house doesn't moved it's firmly located but it doesn't have a floor. I wondered if it would be bad for the ducks.

Iain
Title: Re: Floor neccasary or not?
Post by: hexhammeasure on April 28, 2009, 08:32:00 am
Rats are another thing to be aware of.  If you don't have a floor its much easier for them to get in
Title: Re: Floor neccasary or not?
Post by: doganjo on April 28, 2009, 12:06:28 pm
Trouble with a floor is what material do you use?  A wooden one will rot very quickly even if off the ground, then the rats can get in anyway.  I have awooden floor, then vinyl bigger than the floor area so it turns up at the side, then straw on top so they don't slip.  Easy to take vinyl out, dump straw in compost heap, hose down, dry off and replace.
Title: Re: Floor neccasary or not?
Post by: IainW on April 28, 2009, 12:22:33 pm
Trouble with a floor is what material do you use?  A wooden one will rot very quickly even if off the ground, then the rats can get in anyway.  I have awooden floor, then vinyl bigger than the floor area so it turns up at the side, then straw on top so they don't slip.  Easy to take vinyl out, dump straw in compost heap, hose down, dry off and replace.

Exactly, my neighbour doesn't even put straw down. Rats can get in anywhere as the houses are never perfect, so I'll look into some vinyl.

Cheers
Iain