Duck House connected to run or not?

[BadgerFowl]

Hey all -
I am just getting started with chickens and ducks this year. I have a chicken coop and run all set up and ready....I have a separate duck house built where my 3 ducks will stay at night, but I am wondering if that needs to be connected to the run? The ducks are still overnight in the house since they are only a few weeks old. As of now, we let them out in the morning and they B-Line for the small pond in our yard next to the house. They are super happy to be in and out of the pond and relaxing in the grass....Can I just put the duck house near the pond and not attach it to the chicken run? They will be closed in the duck house at night regardless.

 

[Alaskan]

that completely depends on your set-up.

Is your yard fenced? Dogs are a giant day-time danger.

Your other big day-time problem would be all of the big flying things (hawks and eagles, etc.).... if your ducks have good cover to hide under, they have a good chance of being safe... but it is always a risk.

Locking them up at night is a very good idea, since that is when SO MANY predators come out (foxes, weasels, raccoons, opossums, etc. ), unfortunately they sometimes strike during the day too....

 

[BadgerFowl]

We have attached the duck house to the run......The run has a shingled roof on it and is lockable, so they will be safe. They will only be out in the yard free ranging when we are home and with them. We have a nice small pond that is close to our house and trees so there is cover. When they are out during the day, that is pretty much where they hang out...
Thanks for the info. We will have safe and happy ducks this year.