Duck coop?

[cable2244]

I have 4 rouan ducks 2 female and 2 male. I live in North East Wisconsin where it gets very very cold. We also have a very large pond that they have swam in since they were babies. Now I am worried abut the winter because the pond will freeze over. This is all new to me. We have built a shelter and have fenced an area they will be able to get out of if they want. Do they need heat? I can put a heat lamp in the area if needed. I know they are all covered in down but what about there little feet? Any help would be great I am worring to much about them. I just enjoy them so much and I want them around for a long time.

 

[tdgill]

Winter is when your predators come calling (if they weren't before). I am scurrying to get a good secure duck house that can be locked up tight for the winter nights.

maybe something like this. No racoon fingers reaching thru anywhere...no rats, snakes, foxes etc. Gonna have coon proof latches or locks too.

 

[dianaross77]

Here's mine. I did it 100% on my own. All my husband did was draw it up for me. I used 2x3's for the frame. 2x4's for the roof supports. 1x4's for the siding. The sides where the roof slant is are open and covered with hardware cloth.

 

[tdgill]

I'm impressed! looks awesome

my only concern here is open sides *even with hardware cloth*

my ducks were acting really freaky and skittish - piling up in the corner like something had scared them at the screened door/window on my old duck house. I hung a towel on the inside of the door so they had some security privacy but think I will do something like plywood and leave vents open at the tops. They are such scaredy cats. Poor little things

 

[MVchickens]

I took an old chicken coop 7L X 3W X 3H and cut out half the floor. Put down hardware cloth and that lets the water drip through to the ground. On the other side of the coop there is pine shavings. It is constructed out of 2x2's and plywood. Has a pop door on the front and an access door on the back with two big vents up top. I have to get a picture up soon.

 

[tdgill]

please do!

also want to mention how much moisture and humidity my ducks add to my chicken coop. Even with extra care for ventilation needs, I still think its too amonia and damp to add to my chickens housing. I feel best keeping them elsewhere..

 

[cat1994]

I thought I could just keep my ducks with my chickens but I really got tired of having to clean my chicken waterers every single day b/c my ducks kept messing in their waterers so the chickens wouldn’t drink out of them. Plus when my drake grew up he started to pick on the hens and fight the roos! When I got in to Calls I also ran in to the problem of the chickens chasing away the small ducks from the feeders. So it was obvious that I would need a different pen for my ducks if everyone (mainly me) was to keep their sanity.

 

[tdgill]

I hear ya!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
You are right and that is an excellent idea.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
That's a great duck house. Is that yours?