aviary size

[nurglechicken]

Hello waterfowl experts! I currently have chickens, pigeons and Lady Amhersts and have been wanting to get into waterfowl for years now. I finally have the extra cash and the all important OK from the spouse to start the aviary for a few pair. My question has to do with the space needed. What I want is a pair of mandarins, a pair of white-faced whistling ducks, a pair of wood ducks and a pair of northern pintails. My area that i have available is 12X20. The pond would be 5X9 and the rest would be ground(logs, large rocks, ornamental grasses,etc). Does this seem big enough for them or am I trying to cram too much in there? If it's too small how big of an aviary would I need for these guys? Also, do you foresee any problems with these breeds co-habitating?Thanx a lot guys, I look forward to your answers.

 

[Kevin565]

I'll leave the questions for the experts but

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Hopefully BBB, DestinDuck or Kangababy will see your post and come along with guidance. In short though, yes you are trying to do too much in too small a space.

 

[destinduck]

Welcome to BYC Nurglechicken.Like Celtic said. That is a bit cramped.There would always be alot of fussing with each other. In the order of niceness of the birds its this. Pintails,white-faced,woodducks and manderins. If I were you I woud pick two pair. One from pintail and white -faced because these hang on the ground mainly and the other two like to perch up higher.Or build a biggerpen It always happens anyway.LOL! Show us pics of course when ya get em. Good luck. Love the avatar Kev.

 

[kangababy]

I agree with destin. You want a 10x10 area per pair. and typically mixed between perchers and ground layers.
Another thing to think about is permits. Pintails and wood ducks will require you to get a permit to sell or dispose of (so any babies or eggs or even teh adult birds you bought). Where the white face and Mandarins do not.

 

[dylan duck man]

i agre with destin and kangababy i have all of those ducks but i have bigger aviarys another thing is you need some wood duck boxes if you want aall four i woul make your pen bigeer and put boxes and perches in it