A Frame Duck Coop / free ranging in the suburbs

[MegMeg]

Hey everyone! I’m going to be getting 6 runner ducklings next month, and we’re working on designing their coop now so we can start building.

We’re planning on doing an A frame style duck coop - does anyone have any tips? Specifically, does anyone have an A Frame coop with a run attached? Trying to figure out the logistics of that without just having the whole coop inside of a run….which leads me to my next question.

We live on 1/4 acre in a suburban area, and we’re planning on keeping the ducks in a specific fenced in area that’s right by our house and a garage. It’s a 6 ft wood fence on all sides but one, where we’re planning on putting up a 3-4ft fence that connects to the rest of our yard. One idea is just putting aviary netting above them to protect from birds of prey during the day, and not having any type of official “run” at all. Does that seem unwise?

 

[Colley12]

We didn't do an official run and used our completely fenced in back yard as our run, the completely destroyed our yard, trampled and ate pretty much all the grass. You have a bigger lot than me, so that will be helpful. Also they made the patio right by the backdoor their hangout = poop all over the deck and our drake claiming the backyard as his. Meaning he began chasing the dog everytime it went out. We just fenced in their run last weekend. But we still ley them out to explore the yard quite a bit. We will be reseeding the lawn next month, then they will be pretty limited to their run for a while.

We still love ours, just giving you an idea of some mistakes we made...

Edit: i reread your post and it sounds like you will have them sectioned off in that side part. I think that is a good idea.

 

[CoriM]

@Colley12 - And remember when reseeding to only put down fertilizer that is safe for your birds - I learned from experience.

@MegMeg I agree with the other poster, they will be hard on your yard, so just be prepared and expect it. I think the bird netting is good, just make sure no predators can tunnel underneath your fencing, and that raccoons can't reach inside - they can kill a bird through traditional "chicken wire".

 

[MegMeg]

We didn't do an official run and used our completely fenced in back yard as our run, the completely destroyed our yard, trampled and ate pretty much all the grass. You have a bigger lot than me, so that will be helpful. Also they made the patio right by the backdoor their hangout = poop all over the deck and our drake claiming the backyard as his. Meaning he began chasing the dog everytime it went out. We just fenced in their run last weekend. But we still ley them out to explore the yard quite a bit. We will be reseeding the lawn next month, then they will be pretty limited to their run for a while.

We still love ours, just giving you an idea of some mistakes we made...

Edit: i reread your post and it sounds like you will have them sectioned off in that side part. I think that is a good idea.

Thank you! Did you have any issues with predators during the time that you let them free range the whole yard?

 

[Colley12]

My backyard isn't very big, with high fences so I haven't had any problems with predators. My husband did see a hawk circling around, but then watched 2-3 crows chase him off. But that was a while ago. And any bird that flies over no matter how small, My ducks stop and look up and wait. Sometimes they run for their house or under a tree. They seem pretty intuitive about that.

We do have raccoons around the block I've seen at someone else's house during the day, before I had ducks. So I'm diligent about locking them up at night time.

 

[DuckyFamily]

We didn't do an official run and used our completely fenced in back yard as our run, the completely destroyed our yard, trampled and ate pretty much all the grass. You have a bigger lot than me, so that will be helpful. Also they made the patio right by the backdoor their hangout = poop all over the deck and our drake claiming the backyard as his. Meaning he began chasing the dog everytime it went out. We just fenced in their run last weekend. But we still ley them out to explore the yard quite a bit. We will be reseeding the lawn next month, then they will be pretty limited to their run for a while.

We still love ours, just giving you an idea of some mistakes we made...

Edit: i reread your post and it sounds like you will have them sectioned off in that side part. I think that is a good idea.

This is us. We are in need of a run because we let them just run free in our yard and they did exactly as yours… most of our yard is pure mud now and needs to be reseeded and they made our patio their home, so there is poop everywhere. What plan did you come up with for a run now?

 

[Colley12]

 We sectioned off the side of the house that their duck house is on. I will take pictures tomorrow when it's light out. It's mostly river rock. I still let them out most days into the yard because we probably can't reseed until late March when it stops freezing here.

Also I'm glad I sectioned them off, because Gerald was becoming quite the drake. And actually grabbing onto my dogs hair and trying to bully/fight him. Even with me out there to try and run interference. My own fault as I let then claim the porch right by the back door. Now we make sure if we want to let our dog out, that the ducks are in their run. It's been interesting to say the least.

We created their run space the first weekend in February and already the yard isn't as swampy messy, since they are on it 50% less!

 

[Aflaten333]

I actually just built an A frame house for my 6 pekins they have been in it for a week now. Used an old swing set that was left at the house by the previous owners. It has been perfect! I am by no means a carpenter but a mechanic so puzzled it together with spare wood around the property. We wanted doors big enough for us to get in and out of but due to it being an A frame they wanted to swing upwards and that can make them pretty heavy due to the angle. So I installed gas pistons on the doors and now they open automatically once the latches are released. The duck house sits just outside of a 10x20 caged run. Ill see if I can post a video or pictures later today. Only pics I have are from the work in progress.