Garden Machinery
Garden Leisure
- Greenhouse Heaters
- Loungers
- Midgeaters
- Gas Barbecues
- Charcoal Barbecues
- Masonry Barbecues
- Furniture Sets
- Benches
- Greenhouses
- Water and Light
- Garden Sheds
- Gazebos
- Firepits
- Wildlife Boxes
- Rock and Stone
- Weather Vanes
- Rabbit Hutches
- Urns & Planters
- Sundials
- Birdbaths
- Garden Swings
- Climbing Frames
- Croquet Sets
- Wildlife Cameras
- Bird Feed
Develop your garden.
Livestock Gardens
Keeping any form of livestock requires careful consideration. You must ensure that your garden or plot of land will adequately meet the needs of the animals you are planning to keep.
There are many choices, some of the more usual are chickens, hens, goats, and rabbits. The following brief guides are design to help get an understanding of the basic upkeep and care requirements for your livestock gardening plans.
You should also seek professional advice from suppliers in your local area, they will be able to help you with any specific questions that you may have.
Housing
It is a common mistake to think that housing made especially for Chickens will be o.k for use with Ducks, but this is not correct, and you should ensure that a suitable home is provided for them.
Certain key factors should be taken in to account when purchasing or making housing for your ducks. Space per bird, type of floor, bedding, ventilation and access should all be calculated.
Large breeds require a minimum of 2 sq.ft. floor space per bird. The floor should be predator proof, (Foxes and Rats will try to get in). A solid concrete or paving slab floor is good as long as plenty of bedding is provided for warmth. Ensure that the floor can be washed and disinfected easily.
More portable housing can be set onto a small gauge wire-netting buried slightly under the ground. Wall construction should generally be of wood, the roof should be covered with roofing felt and have a reasonable overhang to take rainwater away from the walls.
Treat the wood with a preservative but this should be completed well before installing the ducks. Never let the birds come into contact with fresh creosote.
Bedding can be a variety of materials. Wood shavings make a good base with straw on top for warmth. Avoid damp or musty straw and hay as fungal spores can cause lung diseases such as Aspergillosis. Bedding soon becomes trampled and mucky so add a few handfuls of fresh bedding every few days. It is advisable to change all the bedding material at least once a month.
The door should fit well and be fastened securely and open away from the prevailing wind. Ventilation can be provided by a wire grille or series of small holes bored above the birds' head height on a sheltered wall. Ducks should always be shut in before dark.
