Duck House Plans/Ideas

[astronomer]

I need to build a house for my 10 ducks (and 4 neighborhood ducks if I can coax them in).
I'm looking at these plans:

http://www.homegardendesignplan.com/2011/06/chicken-coop-l102-117x334x132.html

I would modify them a bit. I don't need the run, as they have their run of a 3 acre pond during the day, and the neighborhood loves them waddling into their yards that are adjacent to the pond.

I also don't need it to be that tall. Ducks don't need perches like chickens, so I could bring the roof down several feet.

Do you think that's big enough for 10-14 ducks? 5X5 or 6X6? Mine all seem to huddle together when they sleep, so I don't see how they need a ton of room.

Also, do ducks really benefit from having nesting boxes? If so, I'll keep them in my build.

 

[hennible]

If they can come and go 2-4 square feet a bird, if locked up 8 square feet. Not sure about nesting boxes....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/744440/how-many-sq-ft-per-duck
This is where I read the square foot info.

 

[hennible]

Are you building on stilts like in the plan? A lot of people seem to have trouble with ducks using ramps... Mine use the ramp into their pool just fine though, just a thought.

 

[astronomer]

If I do build it on stilts, they won't be very tall. Just enough to keep the bottom off the ground to prevent rot.

 

[hennible]

I see. Good idea.