Wow, this week was a doozy — rain, rain, and more rain! Not just a little sprinkle, but the kind that turns your whole yard into a mud pit. Our ducks and geese? Totally loving it. Mud everywhere, happy honks all day long. Honestly, they’re living their best muddy life.
But for us humans, the rain meant it was time to tackle some much-needed upgrades to keep things running smoothly — especially for our waterfowl crew. Here’s what we’ve been up to and some tips if you’re thinking about doing the same.
Mud Management: Ducks Don’t Care, But We Do
Ducks and geese thrive in muddy spots — they wade, splash, and basically make the mud their playground. But mud can cause issues if it gets too deep or wet for too long. We’ve been trying to keep their space healthier by adding fresh straw to soak up moisture and improve footing. It’s not perfect, but it helps keep those muddy puddles from becoming mini-swamps.
Planning Our DIY PVC Feeders — What We’re Thinking
Feeding time can get a little messy around here, with feed spilling and sometimes getting wet or muddy. So, we’re gearing up to build some PVC feeders to help keep things cleaner and easier.
Why PVC? Because it’s:
- Durable and weatherproof — perfect for outdoor use
- Easy to clean with just a quick hose-off
- Lightweight and easy to move if we need to rearrange things
Our plan is to:
- Measure how much feed our ducks and geese usually eat daily
- Cut and assemble PVC pipes into a simple trough design that keeps feed dry and reduces waste
- Mount the feeders at just the right height — high enough for the birds to reach but off the muddy ground
We haven’t started building yet, but we’re excited to get this project underway soon. We’ll keep you posted on how it goes and if the feeders make feeding time less messy!
So far, the feeders have made feeding much cleaner and less stressful for us — and our birds seem to enjoy them, too!
Planning Our Rain Barrel Water Setup — Making the Most of Rainfall
We’re also excited about adding a rain barrel to catch runoff from our roof and use that water for our ducks and geese. It’s a great way to conserve water and provide fresh rainwater for the birds.
Here’s what we’re aiming for:
- Collect fresh rainwater, which is often better for the birds than tap water
- Save trips hauling water back and forth around the homestead
- Create a more eco-friendly watering system
We’re still in the process of figuring out the best setup to keep the water clean and manage overflow safely. When we get it going, we’ll make sure to:
- Use a fine mesh screen to keep leaves and bugs out
- Have an overflow plan so excess water drains away safely
- Regularly clean the barrel to keep the water fresh
Can’t wait to get this project started — we’ll share updates once it’s up and running!
Nutmeg the Rabbit’s Rainy Day Routine
Our Rex rabbit Nutmeg definitely does not love the rain. He’s got his own little dry hangout spot, where he can watch the chaos without getting wet or muddy. Keeping his space dry and cozy is a top priority, especially during weeks like this. If you’ve got rabbits or other small critters, make sure their shelter is well protected from drafts and moisture.
Wrapping It Up: Progress Over Perfection
Rainy weeks can make homesteading feel messy and slow, but they also give you a chance to step back and make smart improvements. Our PVC feeders and rain barrel setup are little things, but they’re making life easier for us and happier for our ducks, geese, and rabbit.
If you’re juggling mud and critters, know you’re not alone — and every small upgrade counts!
Thanks for stopping by to catch our muddy homestead update.