Duck encloser feed back please

[FrankiesquarteracreFarm]

So the plan is to free range the birds as much as possible. However we want to build a big enough enclosure so that if the ducks need to be left for a day or 2 they won't go crazy, 70sqft. Also give them more freedom at night. Questions; the pen will be on exposed aggregate concrete, with deep bedding, good? 9x6 of the run is going to be covered do I need to have a house in there or just a couple little ' laying boxes', we have mild winters.

 

[Cecisflock]

Ducks don't really need laying boxes, a bush will do lol! that is and AWESOME coop. Ducks also don't roost, so don't bother there either. Feel free to ask any more questions

 

[ColtHandorf]

Ducks also don't roost, so don't bother there either.

Muscovy ducks do roost. OP if you have Muscovy ducks include roosts. If you have domestic species that are derived from Mallards, roosts won't be used.

I'd also recommend offering the nest boxes. If you can get them to lay inside in a dry, clean environment you'll get cleaner eggs that aren't covered in mud and whatever else. Most of my ducks regularly nest in their boxes.

 

[Alaskan]

How many ducks do you have? And what area of the world do you live in? (Just for general climate info)

 

[FrankiesquarteracreFarm]

Muscovy ducks do roost. OP if you have Muscovy ducks include roosts. If you have domestic species that are derived from Mallards, roosts won't be used.

I'd also recommend offering the nest boxes. If you can get them to lay inside in a dry, clean environment you'll get cleaner eggs that aren't covered in mud and whatever else. Most of my ducks regularly nest in their boxes.

Ancona's is what I'm starting with but there will be spots for roots in the future. I like the idea of trying to get them to nest in a box. May even use some decoy eggs.

 

[FrankiesquarteracreFarm]

How many ducks do you have? And what area of the world do you live in? (Just for general climate info)

I'm getting 5 unsexed ancona chick's in the next week or so. Plan is to cull the males for meat once they hit a decent size (~8wks?) And keep the layers. But the sweet spot we are aiming for is 3 to start. Whether that means keeping a male or eating a female. We live in Victoria BC Canada ( South Vancouver Island ) mild winters and temperate summers. Gardening zone 9a. We have a quarter acre fenced and are making it into a bit of a micro farm. So they will hopefully have more free range time than not.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Ancona's is what I'm starting with but there will be spots for roots in the future. I like the idea of trying to get them to nest in a box. May even use some decoy eggs.

Try a bed of deep clean hay. They'll make a nest and cover the eggs when they are done. Usually ducks lay fairly early in the morning. My Rouens used to lay before I left for school when I was a kid. My Khaki Campbells, Muscovy, and Calls seem to lay early too.

 

[Alaskan]

So the plan is to free range the birds as much as possible. However we want to build a big enough enclosure so that if the ducks need to be left for a day or 2 they won't go crazy, 70sqft. Also give them more freedom at night. Questions; the pen will be on exposed aggregate concrete, with deep bedding, good? 9x6 of the run is going to be covered do I need to have a house in there or just a couple little ' laying boxes', we have mild winters.

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For 3 ducks, that sounds like a great space.

Don't you get crazy amounts of rain?

I worry that rain on the bedding covered concrete will result in super nasty wet bedding.

Is the concrete sloping?

You need to figure out what will happen with rain, and with water splashing out of their tub.

You could have a tub only outside of the pen. And inside the pen have a waterer that they can dunk their heads in but NOT splash in.

But maybe you need to roof the entire area that has concrete.

Or.... maybe you need to put pallets over all concrete, and put bedding on the pallets.

Anyway.... space is fine....

No, in a mild climate they do not need a coop... but boxes or dog crates for nest boxes are good.

One corner of the pen with wind blocks and a roof is nice. But in nasty weather, as long as they can camp out in the nest boxes, they will be fine.

Ancona will not perch.

 

[SolarDuck]

Lots of people say that their ducks don't use nesting boxes, I just use kitty litter boxes with straw in them as nesting boxes, and my ducks always lay in them I never find eggs anywhere else.

 

[FrankiesquarteracreFarm]

For 3 ducks, that sounds like a great space.

Don't you get crazy amounts of rain?

I worry that rain on the bedding covered concrete will result in super nasty wet bedding.

Is the concrete sloping?

You need to figure out what will happen with rain, and with water splashing out of their tub.

You could have a tub only outside of the pen. And inside the pen have a waterer that they can dunk their heads in but NOT splash in.

But maybe you need to roof the entire area that has concrete.

Or.... maybe you need to put pallets over all concrete, and put bedding on the pallets.

Anyway.... space is fine....

No, in a mild climate they do not need a coop... but boxes or dog crates for nest boxes are good.

One corner of the pen with wind blocks and a roof is nice. But in nasty weather, as long as they can camp out in the nest boxes, they will be fine.

Ancona will not perch.

Yeah we can have periods of heavy rain so there is a concern there and fully roofing is an option. I am roofing half of it. And yeah there's a slight slope. I'll take a look into how the water drains. I might separate the bedding of the non roofed part from the roofed with a 2xr on edge sealed to the slab