Building a Duck Aviary

[deanna&rich]

When you find out which plants are good for ducks. please post it here for the rest of us.

We are just starting our duck area (we were given some unwanted ducklings, so their digs are pretty spartan right now, just a chain link dog run, and nights are spent in our bathtub.)

 

[DaKid]

Ok today I change the middle 4 center uprights from 1" PVC pipe with 1-1/4" gav. pipe this strenght up the archways alot better.
I also put some metal 2x4 studing that I had hanging around the yard ,The studing was place across each arch way about 3' down from the center or middle of each arch and screwed to the side of the pvc pipe this will give it a little more strength to.

All the materails I'm using so far came from different construction jobs that was all let-overs or begin trash so me begin who I am look at other people junk an say I can use that LOL

My 12' x 12' x8' Chicken Coop was build out construction jobs junk from plywood, metal studing , insultion ,windows, vents, coragated metal roofing, and more insultion and a rubber roof liner , all screws , fasterns, glue for the rubber roof, temp. ligthing and all the use chain link fence ( about 350' ) that I build my 3 runs out of, all this cost me nothing .

I only needed to buy the 2x12 P.T for the base fram and the 12' x12' inlayed flooring for inside floor and 4' x 8' sheets of Eucatex Thrifty White Tileboard for in inside walls
(Perfect for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or kitchens. Hard alkyd melamine coating over smooth durable 1/8" hardboard.Easy to install .Scratch and scuff resistant, this durable paneling can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth )

So this is why I'm using what I have left over to build my Duck Aviary pen , if all works out and all is safe with the aviary and I see that I going to keep the ducks for quite afew years thats great
if something does work or seem not safe for them then I change it do make it right.
I take lots of pride in my pets and animals seening that all I have at this present time besides my family , my childden, and grand children.

I'll be posting more pic.'s soon,
now it's time to figure out how much wire I'll be needing to cover it all up and where I'll be building the frams for the doors on each side of the aviary.

Still no answers on what types of plants, shrubs or grasses , and trees that can be use .




Alan

 

[TrystInn]

May I recommend butterfly trees? You'll need to get one that's branches are taller than the ducks can reach. They'll eat the flowers and seeds as they fall and the tree will provide shade and lovely bright flowers in the spring & summer (depends a bit on where you are).

I'm going to be adding established alders and blackberry bushes, since the ducks will keep the voracious growing bushes in check via foraging.

I adore your set up, you've given me some wonderful ideas. Thank you!

 

[DaKid]

TrystInn
Today 4:23 am May I recommend butterfly trees? You'll need to get one that's branches are taller than the ducks can reach. They'll eat the flowers and seeds as they fall and the tree will provide shade and lovely bright flowers in the spring & summer (depends a bit on where you are).

I'm going to be adding established alders and blackberry bushes, since the ducks will keep the voracious growing bushes in check via foraging.

I adore your set up, you've given me some wonderful ideas. Thank you!

Thanks ,blueberry and Raspberry bushes grow wild all around my propety maybe I'll tranplant some along the back fence .There is two small wild trees growing now in the aviary but not sure what there are.
The spot where I'm
Building a Duck Aviary will be part sun and part shade during the course of the day.



Ok here another question when the ducks are not using the nesting box mount up high off the ground where do the ducks go to get out from the weather and cold night to sleep, in a small duck coop on the ground level or do they stay /sleep in the nesting boxies with out sitting on eggs

Today is a rainy and windy day up here in northeast USA so I guess I'll start building some duck nesting boxies.

Alan​

 

[rainplace]

Here is a thread I started about plants that ducks don't seem to like. Your millage may vary

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=246778

 

[DaKid]

rainplace
Chicken Obsessed

Re: Building a Duck AviaryHere is a thread I started about plants that ducks don't seem to like.

thanks rainplace

 

[DaKid]

ok here are a few pic.'s of the duck nesting boxies that I build, there are 4 of then ..........

next thing I will be hooking up the drain , shut off and pipe to the pond


Alan

 

[geosheets]

looks like your pen is coming along nicely... what size hole do you have in your nest boxes?

 

[DaKid]

geosheets
Today 1:16 am looks like your pen is coming along nicely... what size hole do you have in your nest boxes?

then say to drill a 4" or 5" dim. hole ,so I made them 5" dim.

thanks------ yes the Aviary is coming a long really well I think, I just have to figure what size or whats the largest size wire I can place over the whole Aviary ,The only problem I see I will have is it is build under some large maple trees and during the fall season like it is now I will have tons of leaves falling and if I can't figure out how to remove them before the snow hits up here in new england I will have a big problem with the weigth , so I thinking of going with a 2" or 3 " wire for the top of the aviary but not sure if 3" wire is to large and the ducks migth be able to fly through it , so I might have to go with 2" wire for the top and 1" for the bottom say 6-8' up.



Alan​

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

Here are some pics of my run.