Ducks run is so muddy!!!

[Sandrews2015]

We have 5 chickens and 2 ducks...their runs are seperated and the ducks have a cubby under the coop to get under for shelter
But their run is SO muddy because weve had alot of rain here in Ohio and it hasnt been cold enough for the ground to freeze so it's just a mud pit in there...the one duck doesnt seem to mind but we have a very short duck that has a hard time walking and he gets stuck in the mud
I know we may have to wait until spring to do anything but does anyone have any suggestions ? I feel so bad for frank (the super short one ) because he struggles to walk as is
Or please just tell me were not the only ones that have this issue?! Its driving me nuts!
Thank you!

 

[Jpat]

The simplest and cheapest way is to throw down straw or hay

in the fall and spring i cover my run in hay. If your run is a constant issue you might want a permenent solution

 

[Sandrews2015]

The simplest and cheapest way is to throw down straw or hay

in the fall and spring i cover my run in hay. If your run is a constant issue you might want a permenent solution

The run is always open to the weather so hay would just get really wet
We put river rocks under their pool and that worked for a little bit but of course only temporarily the rest of their run is just pure mud

 

[DuckyDonna]

The simplest and cheapest way is to throw down straw or hay

in the fall and spring i cover my run in hay. If your run is a constant issue you might want a permenent solution

Yes @Jpat is right. Throw the used hay, straw or whatever you are using in their pens into their yard. I do it all the time and refresh when the rain washes it away.

I've got a big run for them and right now most of it is a huge mud hole. I have the room to fence off a portion of it so the ducks can't get in there and tear it up until the grass grows back again. I've got a pretty good start on the grass now and don't intend to let them in that area until it's really thick nice green grass. I'll then block off another area and let the grass grown in there. This is my bigger area and it's totally mud.

This is the area I have blocked off and the grass is growing nicely

this is where you can see both the mud pit and how nice the grass is growing where I've got it blocked off. It doesn't hurt that we've been having temperatures nearly 70° but we're fixin' to go into the 20's which I'm not at all looking forward to!

 

[DiYMama540]

Agree with the others, straw, shavings, pine needles, sticks...anything that can cover up that mud! The stuff will get wet yes, but the ducks should be able to move around on it better than the mud. Will be nice for you too so you don't slip and fall in their mess!

 

[Sandrews2015]

Yes @Jpat is right. Throw the used hay, straw or whatever you are using in their pens into their yard. I do it all the time and refresh when the rain washes it away.

I've got a big run for them and right now most of it is a huge mud hole. I have the room to fence off a portion of it so the ducks can't get in there and tear it up until the grass grows back again. I've got a pretty good start on the grass now and don't intend to let them in that area until it's really thick nice green grass. I'll then block off another area and let the grass grown in there. This is my bigger area and it's totally mud.
View attachment 2003293
This is the area I have blocked off and the grass is growing nicely
View attachment 2003295
this is where you can see both the mud pit and how nice the grass is growing where I've got it blocked off. It doesn't hurt that we've been having temperatures nearly 70° but we're fixin' to go into the 20's which I'm not at all looking forward to!
View attachment 2003294

Yes our ducks actually dont have a huge space but were planning on making it bigger this spring! But the run that they do have has zero grass it's all mud and when it rains they dig trenches that fill up with muddy water...little turds make a mess
I'm afraid were not going to be able to grow any grass in there until we make it bigger and move them.to a different space

 

[Sandrews2015]

Agree with the others, straw, shavings, pine needles, sticks...anything that can cover up that mud! The stuff will get wet yes, but the ducks should be able to move around on it better than the mud. Will be nice for you too so you don't slip and fall in their mess!

We actually cant walk in their run...its only a couple feet tall we get in there to change out their food and water and pool on one side and the other side where their cubby is we can get in there and change their straw but luckily we cant get in where the run is because I wouldn't want to walk in that slop

 

[chickens really]

Toss sand in over a base of rock chips...

 

[DuckyDonna]

We actually cant walk in their run...its only a couple feet tall we get in there to change out their food and water and pool on one side and the other side where their cubby is we can get in there and change their straw but luckily we cant get in where the run is because I wouldn't want to walk in that slop

My run used to be "short" and it sucked! My husband decided that I needed to have a run I can walk in and I love it. It was a ton of work but I am so not complaining!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I will add that I have 2 pens for the 11 ducks. One that was supposed to be a rabbit pen and is really really short, the other is over 6' high and I am not able to hit my head on it even once!