Duck Enclosure

[Frizzy Chicks]

I need help. I have a fenced back yard with a 40 x 50 fenced area inside it. My chicken hutch and run are going in the 40 x 50 fenced area so the chickens can be loose during the day and locked up at night.
I want to put my three ducklings in there as well but without a run. I am using a converted dog house for the ducks enclosure for at night, but I want to leave them the whole 40 x 50 area to run during the day. Their wings will be clipped to keep them from flying away. We live in the city so predators are not a cause for concern, but just to be safe they will be locked up at night. Is this idea ok?

 

[duckyfromoz]

As long as you are VERY sure that predators are not a problem. I have my ducks in an enclosed yard- and in 9 years I have only ever once had an issue. It was a feral cat attack- and very unexpected but it taught me I can never just assume my yard is safe. I know there are foxes not too far away at a creek- but they have to cross a busy highway - so I do consider the risk low, but do not ignore it. Predatory birds can also be an issue in the city- but more so to very young birds rather than fully grown.

How old will the ducklings be when you put them outside?? Also- what breed are they? Depending on what breed there might not be a need to clip the wings as many domestic breeds cannot fly.

 

[Frizzy Chicks]

They look to be Rouens. I hope I dont have to clip their wings! Thats the best news I have heard all day if they dont need their wings clipped. I was not planning on leaving them outside unpinned in the run until at least full size. I dont know how long it takes Rouens to get full size, but they will be with the chicks in the run until then. I just dont want them to be in their permanently.

We have two rottweiler shephard mix's. The ferrel cats around here know not to come anywhere near my backyard, there was only two, and one was hit by a car. So there's only one that we know of. So I am not worried about the cats, the only thing I was worried about was at night when I bring my dogs in, but they will be locked up at night too, and them flying away during the day when uncooped.

 

[percyj]

Not to hijack this thread, but do you know if 15 ft is enough for rouens, Frizzy Chicks? Or anyone else who has rouens? Thx.