60-120 Duck Setup Suggestions

[FarmIntern]

Hi Y'all,

I'm interning on a farm and have been tasked with adding a new venture within the next year. I have opted to start a duck egg operation for roughly 60-120 layers and all the research I'm doing is leading me to very small setups and I was wondering if someone in this community may have some resources or suggestions for me. There is plenty of space to pasture the ducks and move them around the property and we're in Wisconsin so I was thinking to make a mobile coop out of some excess hoop house materials here on the farm and wrapping it in hardware cloth and putting wheels on it to move it around then covering it in the winter to keep them warm. So first question is, does this seem like a good idea? Are there any aspects I should incorporate into the build? Then my next question is, what is the absolute best watering and feeding system for ducks? It seems that a lot of people are using chicken solutions that may be sub-optimal and I want the happiest healthiest ducks possible. Maybe someone here already has a completely different setup that they really like; I'm really open to anything and I have until May of 2025 to have a solidified plan.

 

[sniper338]

You need a long run all wired in

 

[Logar]

A big cattle panel hoop coop wrapped in hardware cloth would be the best for moving around. I would make sure to have a fold up skirt to still have protection from digging but being able to still move it easily.

 

[paintedChix]

You might want to post your question in the duck forums... Under Other Backyard Poultry

I haven't been able to share some links in a while. I'm sorry. It's not hard to find.

Utilizing a towable tractor and using portable, electric netting for pasture might work. Not sure - that's a lot of ducks!!

Also, does this farm have any type of fruit tree orchard? Might be worth it to set up either permanent fencing or poultry netting for the ducks there. Portable ponds w/ drain hoses make excellent fertilizer. For that large of a group your "pond" would need to be larger than the 55 gallon drums, halved & on raised skids i am planning for ours...

Or the farm could plan a pond in the vicinity of the orchard(s)...