Duck Enclosure

[Quack head]

I have an 8x8 shed I removed the sides and floor. I am planning on installing 2" x 4" wire around the structure. I was going to use 1/2 plywood for the floor covered with 2' x 2' mat I took out of my exercise room. I do have a lot of predators, bobcat, fox, coyote around the property. I am also planning on building a night time box for them to stay. I want to have "free range" ducks so they can use our 1/2 acre pond then bring them in at night. Also, planning on using the cut in half 55 gal drum for water inside the structure. Any suggestions welcome. I want a pair of Rouen and pair of Applegate or Khaki Ducks just to have on the property. Thanks

 

[CrystaBub]

Hi - looks like a fun project! I'd really recommend 1/2" hardware cloth - the little predators like weasels and mink can get through the 2"x4" stuff... Can't wait to see pics when you're done!

 

[PirateGirl]

If you have a large drum of water like that sitting on your plywood floor I would not expect your floor to last long. Ducks slosh the water everywhere!

 

[Quack head]

If you have a large drum of water like that sitting on your plywood floor I would not expect your floor to last long. Ducks slosh the water everywhere!

I was planning on cutting a hole in the floor so the drum would sit on the ground. Maybe I should put a hardware cloth apron about a foot out? Do you think this would work or should I use hardware cloth for the floor? Can a person walk on hardware cloth is another question. Thanks for your info it is appreciated.

 

[PirateGirl]

I was planning on cutting a hole in the floor so the drum would sit on the ground. Maybe I should put a hardware cloth apron about a foot out? Do you think this would work or should I use hardware cloth for the floor? Can a person walk on hardware cloth is another question. Thanks for your info it is appreciated.

The plywood floor could cover half the area and you could have earth or gravel be the floor on the other half where the water is. An apron around the whole thing should stop diggers.

 

[N ID Goose mom]

I don’t have ducks but am in the process of building a goose house. I know that ducks and geese are wet animals. In the process of building I placed pressure treated boards down like a deck in the entryway. This is where their food and water will be. I’m hoping that the water will drain through so the rest of the house is dry (this is my plan and until the goslings are in there I don’t know if it will work). I’m not done yet in this picture and still need to add blackjack 57 to rubberize the floor but maybe this might give you another idea for their water. Sorry about all the construction stuff I’m not done inside yet.

 

[Quack head]

The plywood floor could cover half the area and you could have earth or gravel be the floor on the other half where the water is. An apron around the whole thing should stop diggers.

I believe I will take you advice and not have a plywood floor. and put apron around the enclosure. How far out should I put the apron 2' or further?

 

[Duckworth]

My duck pen is the same size as yours, but my duck house is attached to the outside and opens into the pen. I used pressure-treated 3/4” plywood for my floor, due to local regs requiring a solid surface floor, and painted it with exterior paint.

I wrapped it in 1/4” hardware cloth down low and 1/2 hardware cloth everywhere else. I slanted the floor slightly for drainage and put a no-sill cleanout door at the lowest point, so that if I hose out or dump the kiddie pool, I can open the door and the water drains quickly. Water drains more slowly when the door is closed, which is fine for rain or splashing. I put the pool and water buckets near the door on the low side. Unlike in this picture, I now have the pool next to the cleanout door and the water buckets where the pool was.

My duck house is elevated four inches above the level of the pen floor to keep it dry.

We have many of the predators you mentioned. I put screen door grates over the cleanout door and lower part of the main door and ran a stretch of 24” high 2”x4” welded wire fencing around the rest of the bottom, held away from the hardware cloth by some 2x4 pieces attached vertically to the outside of the pen to make it a little harder for my dogs or other animals to tear into the hardware cloth. I secure my door latches with carabiner clips. Security is a big consideration and you won’t know that you didn’t do enough until those predators show you by killing or injuring your ducks.

 

[Quack head]

View attachment 1820709 My duck pen is the same size as yours, but my duck house is attached to the outside and opens into the pen. I used pressure-treated 3/4” plywood for my floor, due to local refs requiring a solid surface floor, and painted it with exterior paint.

I wrapped it in 1/4” hardware cloth down low and 1/2 hardware cloth everywhere else. I slanted the floor slightly for drainage and put a no-sill cleanout door at the lowest point, so that if I hose out or dump the kiddie pool, I can open the door and the water drains quickly. Water drains more slowly when the door is closed, which is fine for rain or splashing. I put the pool and water buckets near the door on the low side. Unlike in this picture, I now have the pool next to the cleanout door and the water buckets where the pool was.

My duck house is elevated four inches above the level of the pen floor to keep it dry.

We have many of the predators you mentioned. I put screen door grates over the cleanout door and lower part of the main door and ran a stretch of 24” high 2”x4” welded wire fencing around the rest of the bottom, held away from the hardware cloth by some 2x4 pieces attached vertically to the outside of the pen to make it a little harder for my dogs or other animals to tear into the hardware cloth. I secure my door latches with carabiner clips. Security is a big consideration and you won’t know that you didn’t do enough until those predators show you by killing or injuring your ducks.

Thanks for you input.