Advice on Duck/Chicken Coop and Run Area in Orchard

[redrascalsranch]

I just got 6 ducklings and 6 chicks and I have about 5 weeks before I have to make them their permanent homes. I haven't had either before and I'm looking for advice on the poultry area design.

I am building a fully fenced orchard area and within that, I am creating a separate, covered, predator proof 20' x 20' area for the chickens and ducks. They will have free range access to the orchard during the day.

I'm not sure how to design the 20 x 20 area. I'm open to either a combination coop or a separate coop for each flock. I'd like to plan for going up to 12 of each so I want to start bigger. I'm going to give the ducks a small pond (either 133 gallon or 264 gallon), which I'd like to place far away from a dry area for the chickens. The covered part can be a combination of materials if that's best.

Do I create zones for each flock? Do I need to partition them off? What other considerations are there? How do I keep the ducks from mucking up the whole area?

The area right now is former hay field (very recently, I just cut a section off from the field so it's still technically growing alfalfa and grasses) - should I leave any of this or completely cover it with another material? The orchard will still have this growing around the fruit trees.

I should add - I'm in southwestern Ontario so it can get quite cold and snowy here in winter and hot in summer (zone 6).

Any design/layout advice is much appreciated!

 

[Penpal]

The ducks will not roost. They will stay on the ground so make a nice nesting area that is not under the chicken roost. Ducks need water. They will stand in the drinking water if that is all there is. A kiddie pool is better than nothing.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Do I need to partition them off?

I keep my ducks and chickens in separate sleeping quarters, but often let them outside together during the day. The reasons I do this are 1) my ducks pick on my chickens if they come near them, 2) ducks are messy and wet their feed, and 3) to keep the ducks from sleeping under the roosts at night and getting pooped on by the chickens.

What other considerations are there?

Ducks not only have to have water but they also need water near their food that is deep enough for them to dunk their heads in. Adult ducks don't need food and water in their coop at night but ducklings do.

How do I keep the ducks from mucking up the whole area?

I do it by using waterers that have openings only big enough for their heads, and draining their pools and waterers far away. My main duck pool has a drain with a long hose attached. It keeps the pool area MUCH less muddy. I've also seen people put gravel around their duck pools for drainage. Also, don't have too many ducks for the size of your enclosure!

The area right now is former hay field (very recently, I just cut a section off from the field so it's still technically growing alfalfa and grasses) - should I leave any of this or completely cover it with another material? The orchard will still have this growing around the fruit trees.

That sounds like a nice area for ducks and chickens.