Duck Home/Enclosure

[DownLo]

Hi. We are looking to build a safe outdoor enclosure for two ducks. Any pointers and tips would be greatly appreciated. I've been doing lots of research and I am amazed with the options.

1) best thing to use for swimming? Kiddie pool? Easiest way to drain and clean?

2) best flooring options---ideally the easiest to clean and one that is comfy for the ducks. I've seen homes where they have gravel and smooth, river rocks, or hay.

3) Best roof--the tin type, hardware mesh/wire, clear plastic roofing?

4) An actually coop or an a-frame for cover if we roof the home with something solid?

I've been told to be sure to make tall enough to easily get in and out.

The home will be build on a 2-acre property in San Diego. Our weather here is nice and rarely gets super cold, but during the winter we can get some chilly nights and in the late summer it can get 90-95.

Would love to see your duck homes and approximate cost to build them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CarleeAnn]

Kiddie pool would probably be easiest to clean and drain- just dump it, scrub, and refill!

I have a 40gal stock tank I use as a “pond”, my two girls love to splash and dive around in it! I couldn’t imagine getting them anything shallower. I use a sump pump to drain it, which is pretty easy, but I was fortunate to have a grandma who loves her koi fish pond and just happened to have an extra pump for me.... before that I had to bucket it out and I dreaded it!! Also I clean it at least every three days if not more, and that’s a lot of water compare to a kiddie pool.


I went on the cheap cheap for my ducks’ house. At first it was cinder blocks with a stone roof and a dog crate door that I would barricade with more cinder blocks at night. I would use pine shavings and would scoop it out completely weekly. Now I have a shed that I portioned about 1/3 off for a dedicated coop for them. Put a tarp down, covered with sand, made a little “nesting” area in the back with pine shavings and they are happy ducks!! I scoop the sand shed daily like a litter box. They’re only in at night, free range when we are home or go into a run when we are away for the day.


I attached oodles of pictures for before and after we moved.
(I love my ducks!)