Coop for just 3 pet ducks?

[Suzyq16]

Hi! I’m still trying to figure out how to house my 3 pet ducklings. I’ve seen everyone’s amazing coops but I don’t need anything that big nor do I have the money. Can y’all give me some suggestions on affordable, practical housing for 3 pet ducks please? Would a dog play pen work or kennel? I want them to have a small pool to swim in too..

 

[21hens-incharge]

Maybe a pallet coop will work.....many places give the pallets away.

 

[Ratchnick]

Can you build stuff? Something about 4' square with a top that hinges for access would be good. 4 sqft per duck coop size, 10sqft per duck for run space.

 

[Suzyq16]

Can you build stuff? Something about 4' square with a top that hinges for access would be good. 4 sqft per duck coop size, 10sqft per duck for run space.

I’m not good at building but I can learn how to on YouTube! Lol! What material should I use?

 

[Ratchnick]

I’m not good at building but I can learn how to on YouTube! Lol! What material should I use?

2x4 and ply wood. Check the articles here on byc.

 

[RichL]

Hi Suzyq16,

I was in the exact same position as you are in last year. You can read the article I posted then, here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-how-did-this-happen-the-cost-of-ducks.75097/

Also, there are pictures included of my ducks and their coop (home).

I built my coop from fee pallets and scrap wood I had laying around.

Here are the things I am happy with and the things I would change:

• Cheap but took a while to build, so get started now. It took me about 10-12 hours to assemble, not including prepping the pallets.
• Whole front opens for easy access.
• Wire cloth windows on both side for cross ventilation.
• Wire cloth top to keep predators out. (local tom cat, raccoons and we even have coyotes in my suburban neighborhood)
• Convertible top. (old piece of Sunbrella cloth hardware cloth under screwed to frame) I can open when need but is usually closed for shade and rain.

Things I don’t like or would do differently:

• Labor intensive. I had to breakdown the pallets (very difficult) and sand the wood so my babies don’t get splinters in their webs.
• Door is also a ramp. Ducks don’t do ramps well they like low steps. I need to sink the legs into the ground deeper, so that it is closer to level.
• Cheap hinges. Buy real brass or stainless steel. All others rust and makes opening and closing difficult when rusted.
• Same for latches, I used positive lock gate-hook-latches and the springs rusted and they are hard to use now. (but saved my babies form a racoon)
• I should have made my hutch a few feet longer (it is 2’ deep, 4.5’ wide and 4’ tall) I now have two babies that just hatched and I will need more room in a month or so.

Other advice, keep the pool outside the run or it will be a giant pool of mud. Let your ducks out a few times a week to use the pool. They will be happy and so will you.

Get a washing machine drain hose to use to siphon the water out of the pool.

If you have a few scraps left over build some low wide steps into the pool. I used some stacked concrete pavers I had laying around.

Provide a place with low shade. My ducks dug a hole to go under the hutch ramp to rest during the day. They naturally want a cool place out of the sun and safe from hawks. Use your imagination here. Also put plenty of straw here as they will spend a lot of time napping under the shade and no one wants dirty ducks.

For an inexpensive fence I just used welded wire fence from the home center wood stakes and zip-ties. My ducks have a 10’ by 30’ run and they are let out into my yard daily to swim, play, forage, and lounge around.

I used frozen peas to entice them into the hutch every evening at sunset for about nine months. Now they just go inside when they see me coming in the evening. (I still give them peas though)

My in-laws live with me and my father in law retired 3 months ago. They follow him everywhere, sit on his lap and just generally love being around him. That is why I decided to add two babies this year. The more time you spend with them, the more they will bond with you.

My ducks each produce about 1 egg a day, so learn to love cooking with duck eggs.

Included is a pic of my new babies napping in my daughter's hair.

 

[Suzyq16]

Maybe a pallet coop will work.....many places give the pallets away.

I’ve never heard of those. What are a few stores that might carry them?

 

[RichL]

Pallets are the wooden platforms goods are loaded onto when trucks deliver food and other goods. They are often made of hard-woods like oak in the east and redwood in the west. You can often get them for free just by asking at grocers and home centers. Just drive behind the store to see if they have any piled up in the back, then go inside and ask. Don't just take them because many shops recycle them and get a credit of $10-$20 each.

If you are going to build with pallets do yourself a favor and get a "Pellet Buster" avalible on Amazon and other places. A pair of heavy work gloves, a framing hammer, vice grips, small pry-bar and an electric sander.



Be prepared to remove 50-80 nails per pallet. You are trading work free wood.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I’ve seen pallets behind Lowe’s might ask if they are for the taking.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Also look on Craig’s list for free dog house or chicken coop a dog house would need ventilation and a door for security and I have seen where people have gotten free coops too.