Adding greenery to the duck run!

[Weeg]

We have had some issue with the duck run this last season. In the summer/spring, its to dry. The ground gets hard, and its tough on their feet. In the Winter/fall, the wet season, the run gets SO muddy! They track that into the coops, which don't even have walls are are just wire wrapped dog kennels, so EVERYTHING was wet this year! I added shelter within the "coops" for them, so they will just have to tough the wet season out, so we can rebuild them an actual coop, and work on the run in the spring again.

So, that is the back story. My idea in moving forward, is to one, build real coops, with concrete floor so the ground isn't moist, and to build that up a bunch with shavings, loose dirt, and maybe even stall mats on top of the concert. My main question is about the run. I feel like, if I bring in loose dirt from the property, I can make some planning beds to plant greens in. I will use welded wire, about 2 inch wide rectangles, to make a temporary fence around the greens, so they can nip at, and eat the green close to the fence, but not kill them before they grow. Once they get big enough, I will remove the fence, and let them eat the greens. By then I am hoping that they will be lush and thick enough to last a little bit.
I also want to get shrubs and bushes that are pre established and put them around the pond, and mostly the edges of the run. Any greens/shurb/bush suggestions, and planting suggestions is helpful! Thanks for any ideas!
I am using this article for guidance, though my run wont look nearly as nice! Haha- https://www.tyrantfarms.com/top-10-garden-plants-for-chickens-ducks/

 

[cheezenkwackers]

My ducks free range in my garden, which has raised beds. I use different types of fencing to keep them from demolishing everything. They do like to nip that which they can reach. Be careful with 2" fencing. You do not want them to be able to get their heads through it and then panic. As for plants, I would suggest herbs like mint, oregano, lavender, comfrey, they don't love them so they last longer, large, tough greens like collard or mustard, and sweet potatoes (the leaves are edible and will grow over fencing to them). I have a Mulberry bush/tree in by them, that gives them shade. I have thought about thornless blackberry bushes too. I also have large patches of Verbena Bonariensis which reseed naturally in the corners of the garden. They do not eat it but do like to rest under it, even in the winter. I do grow some of the plants that were recommended in your article, but for me, not the ducks. I have had tomatoes, lettuce, and ground cherries. The author is right that they like them. They will decimate an entire bed in one day if they find a way in. It may depend on where you are located too. I am in the south and many of the plants in your article will not live here in the summer.

 

[Weeg]

My ducks free range in my garden, which has raised beds. I use different types of fencing to keep them from demolishing everything. They do like to nip that which they can reach. Be careful with 2" fencing. You do not want them to be able to get their heads through it and then panic. As for plants, I would suggest herbs like mint, oregano, lavender, comfrey, they don't love them so they last longer, large, tough greens like collard or mustard, and sweet potatoes (the leaves are edible and will grow over fencing to them). I have a Mulberry bush/tree in by them, that gives them shade. I have thought about thornless blackberry bushes too. I also have large patches of Verbena Bonariensis which reseed naturally in the corners of the garden. They do not eat it but do like to rest under it, even in the winter. I do grow some of the plants that were recommended in your article, but for me, not the ducks. I have had tomatoes, lettuce, and ground cherries. The author is right that they like them. They will decimate an entire bed in one day if they find a way in. It may depend on where you are located too. I am in the south and many of the plants in your article will not live here in the summer.

Got it. I want some plants that wont get demolished right away, I will defiantly look into the plants you suggested.
I think I have some welded wire that is closer together, you have a very good point there, I will see if I have some one inch. Thanks so much for the suggestions!

 

[Weeg]

I am also wondering about berry bushes? Bushes that are durable, and the ducks can eat. Then there's rose bushes, butterfly bushes, and I may consider Hawthorn shut don't want it to get huge.

 

[KaleIAm]

I am also wondering about berry bushes? Bushes that are durable, and the ducks can eat. Then there's rose bushes, butterfly bushes, and I may consider Hawthorn shut don't want it to get huge.

Butterfly bushes are invasive - if you care about that sort of thing. They do attract butterflies but aren't a suitable host plant, because caterpillars can't eat the leaves.

 

[Weeg]

Butterfly bushes are invasive - if you care about that sort of thing. They do attract butterflies but aren't a suitable host plant, because caterpillars can't eat the leaves.

Got it. I'll take that off the list, look for another flowering bush along with the roses. Any berry bush suggestions? Or just bushes/shrubs that would work well in the pen?

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

Probably don't add any with severe thorns. My chickens love huckleberries, blueberries, and... well, any berry. Huckleberries are VERY native to us here in WA, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a bush to transplant or gather seeds from. Good luck!

 

[KaleIAm]

Got it. I'll take that off the list, look for another flowering bush along with the roses. Any berry bush suggestions? Or just bushes/shrubs that would work well in the pen?

I'll look into butterfly bush alternatives and see if they are toxic tomorrow.

Blueberries seem like a good idea, but I'm unaware if the leaves are toxic. You know a duck is going to eat a leaf.

 

[Weeg]

I'll look into butterfly bush alternatives and see if they are toxic tomorrow.

Blueberries seem like a good idea, but I'm unaware if the leaves are toxic. You know a duck is going to eat a leaf.

Lol! Totally! We have blue berries on the property to, and they seem to grow pretty well. I didn't see any info on blueberry leaves being harmful, but I didn't look that hard. Haha! Someone else suggested thornless Blackberry, but I feel like that would over grown REALLY quickly! Its invasive were I am to, and removing it would be tough.

 

[Weeg]

Probably don't add any with severe thorns. My chickens love huckleberries, blueberries, and... well, any berry. Huckleberries are VERY native to us here in WA, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a bush to transplant or gather seeds from. Good luck!

Oh, I didn't' even think about huckleberries! There everywhere were I am to, so probably another good choice. I will use Thornless rose bushes to if I can get my hands on some. If I can't, I wont use roses and will go with another flowering plant. Thanks for all the suggestions! Adding Huckleberry to my list!