So, the pekins are still young, and the cayuga eggs haven't even arrived yet, but, I want to plan ahead. I was hoping to build pens for them with wire bottoms for easier clean up, and to save space (then I can put one on top of the other and put a pan under the top one). I know that this is possible, we did it with two pekins before, but, is it plausible for breeding? We didn't have problems with bumble foot or anything, but we also didn't keep the pekins until full size. If it is possible, would the eggs have a higher chance of getting hairline fractures with wire? Thanks for any input!
Dirt or wire?
- Thread starter Bettacreek
- Start date
our ducks would be so sad if they didn't have mud and puddles to play in. Ours free range and they are so fun to watch.
Do you mean for baby ducklings? I brood all of my on wire, and the adults go into wire breeding cages from Jan to June. But, they are call ducks and only weigh 1-2 pounds full grown.
- Thread starter
- #4
I found something that says that 3/4" wire bottom is best for ducklings and 1" wire bottom is best for adults. I don't understand this... Usually the smaller the better, because it allows more even pressure on the foot. I was going to do a cage with .5" on the bottom, but now I'm not so sure.
As for them free-ranging, I don't want them to free-range for numerous reasons. I just want to have them in large wire pens, with wire bottoms to make my life easier. I can maybe do linoleum or something similar, if they'd be alright on that. I just need something that's very easy to clean, weather-resistant/proof and won't prevent breeding and good health.
As for them free-ranging, I don't want them to free-range for numerous reasons. I just want to have them in large wire pens, with wire bottoms to make my life easier. I can maybe do linoleum or something similar, if they'd be alright on that. I just need something that's very easy to clean, weather-resistant/proof and won't prevent breeding and good health.
I just built a raised pen with a 1/2 inch hardwarwe cloth for my call ducks. They have a pen attached to a shelter. The shelter has a wood floor. Most of the pen is wire.
Vicki
Vicki
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I have vinyl sheet flooring going up the sides five or six inches, and I will be using shavings with perhaps some straw (not hay - sorry) for bedding. There is a three foot wide side door so I can rake out the shavings from time to time into a wheelbarrow and onto the compost pile.
The ducks will probably be moving into these digs this weekend.
The ducks will probably be moving into these digs this weekend.
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Amiga,
Do you have photos? I'm a new duck owner and that's sounds exactly like what I want. I'd like to be able to show my husband and see if it's practical for us.
Thanks and I hope your ducks enjoy it
Josie
Do you have photos? I'm a new duck owner and that's sounds exactly like what I want. I'd like to be able to show my husband and see if it's practical for us.
Thanks and I hope your ducks enjoy it
Josie
Okay, sure.
Here is (from left to right) the Duck Inn, with attached Little Fort Knox. Just beyond is the temporarily fenced duck yard.
Here is a dimly lit picture of the vinyl flooring going up the wall, with bedding on top. Note the duck tape across the top. Nice try, Amiga, but it won't stick to the plywood. On the morrow I plan to go get some 1" x 3" and 1" x 4" boards and tack the 1"x3"s across the top of the vinyl to keep whatever my beloved ducks toss around from getting down between the vinyl and the plywood, turning it into the House of Eternal Stench. Now, I must say, the duck tape works like a champ for seams between sections of the vinyl (when it is free, it is not exactly the right size). And the duck tape is what the flooring professional recommended when I asked her what I could use for the seams that would not gas off (fumes + ducks = bad, IMO).
Here is a look toward the roof from inside. Nice, light and airy - sun-tuff roofing and yards of half inch hardware cloth. I may add some sort of additional insulation for the coldest parts of winter - but I haven't quite figured out something that will let in light, insulate a bit, and allow good ventilation. If I were extremely talented, I would figure out a way to make sliding plexiglass panels that I could open a little or all the way, or anything in between. If I were talented and wealthy, it would be polycarbonate.
One of my favorite features is the Dutch door. My neighbor built most of this house for me (I had asked for his help with the heavy lifting, and found out he really wanted to take this on as a project, kind of a masterpiece, I think). I asked if he thought he could do this, and within ten minutes, he knew how he was going to do it, and not long after that, there they were. The advantage is that I can open the top door to check in, but not worry about someone scooting out the door. When it is time for me to get in there, or rake out old bedding, I can open both, all the way. Three feet wide should be plenty for loading and unloading whatever I may need.
(There is a sliding pop door to the night pen.)
Here is (from left to right) the Duck Inn, with attached Little Fort Knox. Just beyond is the temporarily fenced duck yard.
Here is a dimly lit picture of the vinyl flooring going up the wall, with bedding on top. Note the duck tape across the top. Nice try, Amiga, but it won't stick to the plywood. On the morrow I plan to go get some 1" x 3" and 1" x 4" boards and tack the 1"x3"s across the top of the vinyl to keep whatever my beloved ducks toss around from getting down between the vinyl and the plywood, turning it into the House of Eternal Stench. Now, I must say, the duck tape works like a champ for seams between sections of the vinyl (when it is free, it is not exactly the right size). And the duck tape is what the flooring professional recommended when I asked her what I could use for the seams that would not gas off (fumes + ducks = bad, IMO).
Here is a look toward the roof from inside. Nice, light and airy - sun-tuff roofing and yards of half inch hardware cloth. I may add some sort of additional insulation for the coldest parts of winter - but I haven't quite figured out something that will let in light, insulate a bit, and allow good ventilation. If I were extremely talented, I would figure out a way to make sliding plexiglass panels that I could open a little or all the way, or anything in between. If I were talented and wealthy, it would be polycarbonate.
One of my favorite features is the Dutch door. My neighbor built most of this house for me (I had asked for his help with the heavy lifting, and found out he really wanted to take this on as a project, kind of a masterpiece, I think). I asked if he thought he could do this, and within ten minutes, he knew how he was going to do it, and not long after that, there they were. The advantage is that I can open the top door to check in, but not worry about someone scooting out the door. When it is time for me to get in there, or rake out old bedding, I can open both, all the way. Three feet wide should be plenty for loading and unloading whatever I may need.
(There is a sliding pop door to the night pen.)
That is beautiful! Did the neighbor build the whole thing or just the doors? That is exactly what I want, it gets very cold here in the winter so I *THINK* I need something that I can close completely but I'm not sure yet.
Those doors are a great idea, nice and wide. I'm sure the ducks will love it
Those doors are a great idea, nice and wide. I'm sure the ducks will love it
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