Coop ideas for the diy impaired? :)

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also the solar light I have is motion activated, so it doesn't stay on all night (it probably wouldn't have enough charge to either), it only comes on when I walk out there and shuts off once I leave.
 
Large well-built dog kennels work great. For added inspiration visit a nearby Waterfowl rescue. If there is not one nearby contact one via the internet and ask for information. If you plan to keep your ducks in the pen full time you will have to have good drainage. In zoos it's a common practice to have a raised area free of water and good drainage to give the ducks a place to sun themselves and dry their feet. I love ducks and the very reason why I don't keep them is because I simply can't give them adequate, safe housing. I'm so OCD about any species I keep that I must provide what they need to keep them happy. I think that's my Zoo training kicking in. Ducks don't need anything fancy either, but they do have unique environmental needs that I can't deal with. So, I get my duck entertainment via the small town pond. Good luck with yours!
 
theoldchick said:
Large well-built dog kennels work great. For added inspiration visit a nearby Waterfowl rescue. If there is not one nearby contact one via the internet and ask for information. If you plan to keep your ducks in the pen full time you will have to have good drainage. In zoos it's a common practice to have a raised area free of water and good drainage to give the ducks a place to sun themselves and dry their feet. I love ducks and the very reason why I don't keep them is because I simply can't give them adequate, safe housing. I'm so OCD about any species I keep that I must provide what they need to keep them happy. I think that's my Zoo training kicking in. Ducks don't need anything fancy either, but they do have unique environmental needs that I can't deal with. So, I get my duck entertainment via the small town pond. Good luck with yours!
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That's another fab idea thank you :) The run that comes with the kennel appears to be quite lengthy so I was thinking at the far end put a tub with some water in for them to bathe - off the ground -with a slightly sloping ramp and then leave the rest of the area (hopefully) dry. :) My ducks currently are free-ranging so this would be just a place for them to sleep at night or if the weather is foul (fowl ;)). Aww, I can totally understand why you feel keeping ducks wouldn't be good for you, they are so full of character but it is much easier to go and see them down the local pond! :) Thank you for your help. I can't believe you have a peacock! How on earth do you look after him?
 
I had female runner ducks for about 3 years. I converted a garden shed. If you actually end up with a dozen ducks, allow for them being full-grown, as they will need 3 square feet per bird while indoors and triple that for an outdoor run. How big is that kennel house? Ducks will sleep on the floor, don’t need a roost. I used straw and wood chips on the floor and turned it out only a few times a year ( deep litter method). My shed had two windows on opposite walls at human head height which allowed for good cross ventilation in the summer. I also had a small window fan for really hot nights. With the birds on the floor, there was not a direct draft problem. I stapled 1/2” hardware cloth over the windows on the outside to prevent our local raccoons from getting thru the window screens. Ducks do love their water, so be prepared for messiness in that department. I put a pan of water in the shed over an upturned bread crate and a large tray to catch the spills. If you can find a linoleum flooring discard or get a piece inexpensively, I would paint the floor and then put down the flooring. At some point you will probably have to empty and hose out the entire living space ( mite infestation for example), so I recommend keeping the inside of the shed simple and as easy to clean as you can come up with. I used a heavy plastic trough that was about 4 feet long for feed, a short one for oyster shell and these were both attached to the wood walls with screws. I had a large run and an electric fence for daytime, but as it was Vermont, I did have to occasionally confine my flock inside and I was glad for the space in the shed. Good luck and hope you get a great hatch.
 
Watson4 said:
I had female runner ducks for about 3 years. I converted a garden shed. If you actually end up with a dozen ducks, allow for them being full-grown, as they will need 3 square feet per bird while indoors and triple that for an outdoor run. How big is that kennel house? Ducks will sleep on the floor, don’t need a roost. I used straw and wood chips on the floor and turned it out only a few times a year ( deep litter method). My shed had two windows on opposite walls at human head height which allowed for good cross ventilation in the summer. I also had a small window fan for really hot nights. With the birds on the floor, there was not a direct draft problem. I stapled 1/2” hardware cloth over the windows on the outside to prevent our local raccoons from getting thru the window screens. Ducks do love their water, so be prepared for messiness in that department. I put a pan of water in the shed over an upturned bread crate and a large tray to catch the spills. If you can find a linoleum flooring discard or get a piece inexpensively, I would paint the floor and then put down the flooring. At some point you will probably have to empty and hose out the entire living space ( mite infestation for example), so I recommend keeping the inside of the shed simple and as easy to clean as you can come up with. I used a heavy plastic trough that was about 4 feet long for feed, a short one for oyster shell and these were both attached to the wood walls with screws. I had a large run and an electric fence for daytime, but as it was Vermont, I did have to occasionally confine my flock inside and I was glad for the space in the shed. Good luck and hope you get a great hatch.
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Thank you every so much for your brilliant ideas!! The linoleum flooring is such a good recommendation I would never have thought of myself! As well as the upturned bread crate! The Deep Litter Method sounds interesting and I will have to do more research. Is it cold in Vermont? lots of snow? x
 
Hey everyone, I was sitting eating my Weetabix this morning browsing the B&Q website to see if the sheds had come down in price and well believe it or not I found the 4x4 playhouse down in clearance to £93!! I called and they said they couldn't find the deal anywhere as the product code didn't work so I went down there and they changed it to the £93 but the catch is the shed is dismantled and has been out in the weather (snow, rain) for ages! But it's not in that bad a condition, slightly damp and frost, and the guy said he'd get more off the price for me (thankfully) so I have to go back next week and pay for it and have it delivered -hopefully so keep your fingers crossed for me please that it's still there and I can have it for less than £93 as I'm a poor student haha! I'm so thankful for this opportunity! I'm sure once I paint it and do it up a little it will be fine! My uncle will build a run for me :) x
 
GracieJ said:
Thank you every so much for your brilliant ideas!! The linoleum flooring is such a good recommendation I would never have thought of myself! As well as the upturned bread crate! The Deep Litter Method sounds interesting and I will have to do more research. Is it cold in Vermont? lots of snow? x
Click to expand...
Hey GracieJ, yes Vermont can be quite cold and lots of snow so it did happen a couple times after a blizzard and lots of wind that I had to shovel my way to the door to the duck house through 3-4 feet of drifted snow. I did have a run that they could use in nearly all weather but when it’s 25 degrees below Fahrenheit, no wants to hang out outside.
 

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