Duck House Design

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My 12 ducklings are coming next week! I am going to use that super idea posted last week to raise them at first in 2 dog carriers (one for water, one for food and heat.)

I am planning to build a duck house, 12X4 feet including 3 nesting boxes. Have you any suggestions for good layouts, size of door, tips, etc. I was planning to put a plywood floor in all of it except one end, where there will be a 1 gallon waterer (for overnight) and was thinking of filling in under that area with sand or gravel and leaving it unfloored so water can slop and run away. What do you think?

Thanks for all your help!

-- seraphima (djones@kodiak.alaska.edu), March 27, 2001

Answers

All we have ever doen is to let the ducks roam loose. THey usually found a spot they liked to nest. Either in the tall grasses or in the ditch. I read somewhere that you could use an old truck cap as a duck house. Put it by the pond. Your idea on building one sounds good. Let us know how it works out.

-- michelle (tsjheath@ainop.com), March 30, 2001.

We have a piece of 4x8 3/4 inch plywood on concrete blocks set up in the middle of the pen for my ducks. They LOVE it!! It is cumbersome to gather the eggs from underneath, so I am going to put hinges in the middle of the board soon, that way I can fold back the top, gather the eggs, then put the top back down.

-- Cindy in Ok (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), March 31, 2001.

It's been a long time since I've raised ducks in an indoor type situation (we now let ours run loose) but I can think of a few suggestions. On the end where you have your waterer, I would build a wire platform over the gravel. Make it out of 2x4s or 2x6s laid on their sides so the platform is 4-6 inches high, and cover it with a wire mesh (not chicken wire, use something like rabbit cage wire), with the openings in the wire approx. 1/2"x1". Ducks really love to make messes, and even with sand or gravel, they will dig and make a puddle around the waterer unless they have a platform. Another thought is that although the ducklings should do fine with the gallon waterer, adult ducks will need something several inches deep (enough to dunk their bills in) so you will probably need to change to a shallow pan or something when your ducks get past the baby stage. BTW, be sure not to use a slippery type of bedding, such as straw or newspaper, for your ducklings as it will lead to leg problems, and be sure any water troughs/swimming ponds have ramps to get in and out of the water. Little ducks can drown easily.

Just checked in one of my duck books - minimum floor space for adult ducks is 2.5 - 4sq. ft. per bird if housed only at night, at least 6-8 sq.ft if housed for longer periods of time. They recommend sand or dirt flooring, and to build on a slope if possible for good drainage, with the floor (dirt) built up 6-8" higher than ground level. They also recommend a 3 sided building with a wire front unless you have severe winter weather. I very much agree with this thinking - ducks need a lot of ventilation, and won't be very healthy without it. You won't be very happy with the odor, either. :( I raise Muscovies, which may be somewhat hardier than some ducks, but mine essentially have no shelter and our winters often are sub-zero. Before you think me hard hearted, I furnished shelter for them for a couple years. The ONLY time they used it was when we had an owl raiding the flock for a few nights. I finally dismantled their shelters. They still have access to numerous loafing sheds, the wood shed, etc. but rarely bother even in the worst weather. If the temps are extemely cold and the wind is bad, they just park themselves on the south side of a building. They generally lay eggs in the dog house, in bushes, or under farm equipment, and raise ducklings with no help from me. I gave up trying to make things "nice" for them.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), April 01, 2001.


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