Duck House Suggestions- HELP!

[Lincoln109]

Hi everyone,

I really need some advice and/ or suggestions on the run for my duck house.

I want to go with the traditional route of having it completely enclosed around their house. I feel more comfortable this way that nothing would happen to the ducks.

My boyfriend wants to build the run with an open top. Similar to a fence, but maybe not as high around a large area of their house. He thinks they’ll be fine like this all day (even if no one is home).

We’re not agreeing on this at all right now. Can someone please help?

 

[llombardo]

Are there Hawks, owls, etc?

 

[CarleeAnn]

I feel so much more secure having a roof on our duck run! Originally we had them outside with no run and a 6+ft tall fence but I was always so worried.... We would see opossum and cats walking the fence line all the time, so not just birds of prey to worry about.

 

[Alaskan]

I started out with my duck run without a top..... I lost ducks.

I now have a top on my duck run.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I would imagine in MI, you have plenty of predators that would be able to scale a fence or swoop down into a run.
There are ways to build the run "open", but to still have it closed off. I have a similar set up. Right now, I only have my chickens in it. However, they are also in a prefab with an enclosed run.
We are in the middle of building them a new coop and the ducks as well. Since I am using cattle panels for their run (and they were free to me), I am adding a top of mesh or safety fence across to keep out birds of prey. I am also adding an electric wire to the outside yo kerp climbers off. As well, an apron hardware cloth border to keep diggers at bay. Whew. Plus, at night everyone will be locked up in their secure coops.
I mean, potentially there could be a break in my system (weasel), but we can only do so much and still give them a bit of freedom.
You could also try bird mesh to keep out hawks and such, but, it wouldn't keep out anything else if they are determined.

 

[Lincoln109]

I started out with my duck run without a top..... I lost ducks.

I now have a top on my duck run.

May I ask how you lost your ducks? I’m assuming you had put them away at night.

 

[Lincoln109]

Are there Hawks, owls, etc?

I’m sure they’re around somewhere, but I have not seen them.

 

[Lincoln109]

I don’t know if this makes a difference, but the duck house and run are going to be right up beside our house and outside our bedroom window. We also our dog that wonders the yard too.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Michigan has a lot of predators. We also live in Michigan and all of our flock members, both chickens and ducks, have a covered run. We have coons, fox, hawks, eagles, owls.... just to name a few. Taking a risk just isn't worth it..... your boyfriend can be 'right' or he can be happy. .. as my husband would say I agree with you. Investing time and money into our flocks means making choices to keep them healthy and safe.
Good luck!!!!

 

[chickens really]

I have one pen that is a Covered Dog run with a Dog house. 10X10..Works great. Hope you don't like to sleep in?..Ducks Don't and are pretty vocal in the mornings..