Coop Size Help

[LapisLazuli]

I want to get 14 muscovies I was wondering what size coop you would recommend.

 

[LapisLazuli]

Also might add other duck breeds.

 

[black_cat]

I've never had ducks, but from what I understand you need the same amounts of space as chickens. I'll round to 20, because duck math will surely strike! For 20 ducks you need 100+ square feet in the coop, and 200+ square feet of a sheltered run. Probably more if you want to have a pond/large kiddie pool, but a smaller kiddie pool would probably be fine.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

Do you mean nighttime coop space or daytime space? In my opinion, ducks need a lot more space than chickens unless you like mud or only mean nighttime quarters. If we are talking daytime, the bigger the better!

 

[black_cat]

Do you mean nighttime coop space or daytime space? In my opinion, ducks need a lot more space than chickens unless you like mud or only mean nighttime quarters. If we are talking daytime, the bigger the better!

I'm just citing what I've heard from asking on BYC. You're much more qualified to advise on ducks than I am.

 

[aart]

I'm just citing what I've heard from asking on BYC. You're much more qualified to advise on ducks than I am.

Sometimes it's just better to watch the thread and learn from others

 

[black_cat]

Sometimes it's just better to watch the thread and learn from others

Always good advice. I'm working on it

 

[LapisLazuli]

They would just use it to sleep in. Muscovies roost so there would be roost space also. FYI Mallard derived ducks don't roost.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

4 sq ft per bird is really the recommended bare minimum for ducks and personally with muscovies being larger I wouldn't really go less than 6-7 sq ft. per duck. My ducks have 14 sq ft per duck at night (176 sq ft. total) and honestly I love that they have the extra room.

 

[3bird]

We currently have ~5.3 square feet per duck in our duckhouse. We keep large breed ducks (silver Appleyards), which do not roost. They make nests in the corners and spread out around the duckhouse. I don't think there would be any real advantage to having more space (maybe even a disadvantage in terms of warmth (we're in Maines). We would certainly not go under 4 sq ft per bird.

In reality, it's only in the winter when they are all in the duckhouse together with regularity, and it's very rare for us to lock them in, so they almost always have the run and the space under the duckhouse (ours is elevated) that is pretty comfy as well.