so much mud

[portmead]

Despite having 1 1/4 acres and a flowing stream to roam my 3 geese & 6 ducks are making a muddy mess around their housing and gateway area ,it is not possible to put stone there but wondered if anyone had tried the rubber mats for strengthening gateways or any other alternative ?

 

[aphrophoto]

For some of my worst muddy areas I have used wooden pallets. I knocked off the bottom three 'runners and blocks' leaving the main part of the pallet and put these down to stop the ducks making the area's worse. The main exit from their pens was bad so I used this system and it seems to help. Because of whats left of the pallet still stands about 2 ins proud of the ground I used feather edged board as a ramp up/down to stop them tripping over it. It doesnt complely cure the problem but stops it spreading to far - I call it Decking for Ducks !

 

[dorsetduckowner]

I use the stuff that they put down to protect grass from cars on fields.... it's like a heavy duty rigid plastic mesh, the grass grows through it in the summer and it stops dibbling and protects the grass roots. I have it all over my garden..... after one season you cannot even see it.
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[AlexArt]

That's a really good idea dorsetduckowner, we've had soooo much rain/sleet/snow lately everywhere has just turned into a swamp, my orchard which is an acre is now a muddy paddling pool especially around the chook house and I only have 5 runners the rest are hens and some turkeys. I think if it keeps on like this I'll have to give them all armbands and snorkels!!!

 

[Marigold]

I use the stuff that they put down to protect grass from cars on fields.... it's like a heavy duty rigid plastic mesh, the grass grows through it in the summer and it stops dibbling and protects the grass roots. I have it all over my garden..... after one season you cannot even see it.
zo
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Have you got a web address for this stuff? Not sure what words to put into Google search! Thanks

 

[Katy-may]

I would be interested too, half my duck pen is a mud bath! Would help me also not falling over so much!! X

 

[dorsetduckowner]

I use tree guard mesh as found here:
http://www.boddingtons-ltd.com/acorn/acorn-treeguard-mesh.htm

But for more used areas the grass guard would be better:

http://www.boddingtons-ltd.com/forestry/grassprotecta-grass-reinforcement-mesh.htm

Good luck!
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[Marigold]

That's brilliant, thanks, have bookmarked it. i see there's even a choice of two types of grass mesh, would be excellent for a grass paddock.

 

[Tim]

I have a barrow of sand that I take around to scatter on muddy areas.

Regular patches get a square of normal chicken wire here - you need to trim the ends so they aren't sharp and bury them into a slot made with a spade then peg down the chicken wire and cover with a little sand. The grass grows through and the wire dissappears.

Not the best solution though I prefer the plastic mesh idea - safer too as there's no risk of sharp corners.