Adding nesting boxes to a duck house

ILoveMyDucks123

Chirping
May 17, 2024
79
108
96
Canada
Hi,

I'll hatch a couple of chicks to add to my flock, but my duck house is not adapted to chickens yet. Any ideas of how I could modify it?
 

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They'll need to have perches, and appreciate getting out of the muck of the ducks. :)

It kind of depends what breed you're getting but most breeds can fly. I have silkies who can't too well, if at all, so they have ladders up to where they perch, atop of the nest boxes. Usually, perches are put higher than nest boxes as they'll try be as high as they can, but be aware where they'll be pooping so it's not on top of where the ducks sleep.

Seeing you're in Canada, especially when it's cold, a wider perch is better so their feet lay flat, then when they sit down, they're keeping their toes warm too. So for example, if using a 2x4, put it sideways. You could also consider putting in a poop board below the perch(s) to catch the poop if you don't want it hitting the floor.

You'll need one nest box for every four hens. Those are recommended to be around a foot square and around 18" off the floor. Ours are higher, but the ladder gets them up there, and it's nicer for egg collection.
 

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