Duck enclosure need input

SilksterTN

Crowing
9 Years
Jun 10, 2014
551
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Tennessee Ya'll
Working on a home for the ducks, now that the chicken coop is complete. This will be a nighttime enclosure with some individual duck houses inside for shelter if they need/want it. I am planning the enclosure right now at 10' x 18'. I will line the bottom 3 feet of the outside edge with hardware cloth--but here's the question. DH does not want to dig a trench around the entire thing (like we did the smaller chicken enclosure) to bury the hardware cloth. With our hard pack clay soil I can't blame him. LOL So I am thinking maybe I should put hardware cloth on the entire bottom as well to keep digging predators (and snakes out) I will be building a frame to attach it to and will stretch the hardware cloth across to secure it. Is it going to be alright to walk on if the edges are stitched together cleanly with wire, or would you recommend that I put cross braces to staple it to? If so, would a 2x2 be ok for ducks to step over? I saw a fox the other night peeking through our fence and I dont' want anything to happen to the ducks. The chickens are in a coop at night but I would rather not build another building for the ducks and coop them.
Thanks in advance for any input.
 
If I am understanding you, the hardware cloth will be bent toward the inside of the run? If so, I would say not to do that but have it bend toward the outside of the run. That would better protect from digging. In fact, I have read about people doing it this way and letting the grass and nature's choice grow over and it keeps the fencing in place great.

Now, fox can climb anything, so is the run fully enclosed? They are excellent climbers and they will find any weak area or space to enter also. They usually come morning or dusk, but people have had them attack midday too. I am not sure about nighttime.

You could build a coop out of screwed together pallets and make a door. Not a lot of work and inexpensive. Just an idea!
 
If I am understanding you, the hardware cloth will be bent toward the inside of the run? If so, I would say not to do that but have it bend toward the outside of the run. That would better protect from digging. In fact, I have read about people doing it this way and letting the grass and nature's choice grow over and it keeps the fencing in place great.
I was thinking to put hardware cloth on the entire bottom of the inside of the run. Will putting an "apron" on the outside be enough to keep them from digging in?

Now, fox can climb anything, so is the run fully enclosed? They are excellent climbers and they will find any weak area or space to enter also. They usually come morning or dusk, but people have had them attack midday too. I am not sure about nighttime.
Yes. It will be fully enclosed on the top. During the daytime, my collies are outside but at night they sleep indoors.

You could build a coop out of screwed together pallets and make a door. Not a lot of work and inexpensive. Just an idea!
I was actually going to use cattle panels and do a modified hoop coop for the top. Line the inside of it with hardware cloth.
 
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I don't remember reading about anyone which had the apron around having lost anyone. There is a YouTube video with a man explaining how this system works for him. I just found it.
As far as the fox. I have watched videos with a very persistent fox which attempts to kill poultry with both humans and dogs outside. Here is one


Your plan sounds great! Best of luck.
 
Wow! That fox was sure brave...! The ones around here are thankfully really shy. At least I hope none of them ever get this bold. I opted for the apron around the outside and am going to run a hot wire around the base on the outside just to make really sure they don't try and get in. Thanks for your input!
 

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