permaculture

[Ute Bohnsack <sustag@eircom.net>]

Thanks a lot, Scott, for your comments. Glad you are enjoying this
thread.
We have a lot of problems not just with slugs crossing into the beds but
also with those that hatch from eggs that inevitably come in with
mulches, compost etc. Hence we also need control inside, so to speak. 

As to the ducks and the water: I think I'll go along with Marks ideas on
a bell waterer for outside and nipple drinkers for inside. Also, I have
seen a handy set-up where a small basin for the ducks to dip their heads
in is set on a metal grid which in turn sits over a gravel-filled hole
allowing any spilled water to drain away and keeping mud out of the
water. That should work fine. The little pond would then just be an
add-on for them to play around in, and to reflect sunlight into the
greenhouse during the winter months.

Cheers,
Ute


Scott Hitchins wrote:
> 
> I'm rather enjoying This discussion.  My two-cents worth:
> 
> 1.I've had moderate success keeping slugs and snails out of garden beds by 
> wrapping strands of bare copper wire around the bed.  This acts as an 
> un-powered electric fence for the slimers: For them, its like licking a 
> battery with their whole body.  I found the wire fairly easy to strip out 
> of old power cables and extension cords. ( any thoughts regarding copper 
> verdigris contaminating soil?[although, there's very little of it.]).
> 2. I've always found beer to be effective against slugs and snails. This 
> works in one of two ways:
>     A)Sink margarine/yogurt/etc. containers to soil level and half fill 
> with beer; If you empty it daily, the ducks will love                  the 
> meaty brew.
>     B) Alternatively, you can drink the beer until you no-longer give a 
> damn about the slugs !
> 
> 3. You may need some movable 'paving' to get through the mud of each 
> section: How about some duck-boards (pun intended) to spread the weight 
> without compacting the soil i.e. sections of plank to lay across the mud.
> 4. If you house chickens and ducks together, you will have a 
> near-impossible task, keeping floors dry and water drinkable; the ducks 
> being the problem in both cases.
> 5. Ducks must have water deep enough, at least, to get their heads 
> underwater.  Perhaps set up your small pond in an elevated spot to 
> facilitate draining all that nutrient-rich water to a useful spot.