The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Alex_ on April 13, 2018, 11:45:42 am

Title: From straw to sand
Post by: Alex_ on April 13, 2018, 11:45:42 am

I have been considering switching the floor of my duck run from straw to sand.
You can clean sand  so in the long run I would save money compared to my current deep litter method that I started doing when I had chickens that doesn't really work as well with ducks.

I am worried however because at the moment I have got 10 two week old ducklings and like most baby creatures they like to put things in their mouths and am concerned they may eat too much sand (I heard a horror story somewhere on the net)

Anyone got any experience with this? Would they be fine with the transition?

 :&>

Title: Re: From straw to sand
Post by: F.CUTHBERT on April 22, 2018, 05:38:44 pm

I have found the sand isn't as absorbent as straw or shavings but worked ok for me in the summer. It probably works best if you put the effort into poop picking every morning. I prefer straw as i can always top it up if i don't have time to clean them out properly.
I don't have any experience with ducklings on sand but i would guess they would be ok by 10 weeks old. After all they need a bit of grit in there diet.