Advice on pens/cages for ducklings

[midgie]

Hi,

apologies if this has been asked before, but I was looking for some advice on pens to keep ducklings safe.

We have two ducks that have gone broody. One has been happily sitting for a few weeks on her clutch and I want to build a rat-proof pen for her and any ducklings that should be due fairly soon.

My plan was to build a cage around the shelter she's in (which is about 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet high - an old wall-cabinet I weather-proofed) that could be dismantled later in the year, but I'd like advice on how big it should be to allow space for running around in, putting in a basin of water etc?

What could complicate things is the other duck is starting to go broody but has decided to find a hedge somewhere. She's still building up her clutch of eggs and is only sitting part of day, so once I find where she goes, is there a good way to move her and eggs into another shelter/pen. Also, should that pen be separate from the other duck's or can both ducks and their ducklings share a pen and water?

Many thanks,
Kev

 

[jdywntr]

Hi,

apologies if this has been asked before, but I was looking for some advice on pens to keep ducklings safe.

We have two ducks that have gone broody. One has been happily sitting for a few weeks on her clutch and I want to build a rat-proof pen for her and any ducklings that should be due fairly soon.

My plan was to build a cage around the shelter she's in (which is about 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet high - an old wall-cabinet I weather-proofed) that could be dismantled later in the year, but I'd like advice on how big it should be to allow space for running around in, putting in a basin of water etc?
They will need a good amount of room quickly. What I did once was just put a dog crate around the hen and the nest. It was great dane size so they had a decent amount of room for the first few days after hatching. But then I sectioned off part of the duck run for them. I think its like .75 sq ft of floor space per duckling for the first 2 weeks and increase that by 1 sq ft until 6 weeks old. The more space they have the cleaner they will be.

What could complicate things is the other duck is starting to go broody but has decided to find a hedge somewhere. She's still building up her clutch of eggs and is only sitting part of day, so once I find where she goes, is there a good way to move her and eggs into another shelter/pen. Also, should that pen be separate from the other duck's or can both ducks and their ducklings share a pen and water?
If the other hen is laying in an unsafe area, build her a nest in a safe area, gather her and the eggs and lock her in a smalish confined area (like a small dog crate) and hope for the best. Even if she doesn't go broody, you can give her a safe option for a nest. If she doesn't go broody, don't let her out or her pen/run until she has lain her egg every day, that way she can't run off to where she thinks is safe.
You will probably need to keep them seperate. I have never had 2 broody but have read that many hens may kill strange ducklings.
Many thanks,
Kev
Good luck and post pics.

 

[midgie]

Thanks for tips on size and for relocating other duck. Was planning on doing that but I've still got to find the nest in the first place!

Thanks,
Kevin