Duck Houses

[johari]

Oh, I did want to mention (especially because I'm proud of my duck house) it cost me less than $60 to make, and only took me a day to build. And my ducks love it.

I looked for months for a dog house that fit my needs, but found nothing. It was so much simpler to build what I wanted.

The roof is hinged for easy egg collection.

 

[Going Quackers]

The one i actually had plans for is the minimalist house from chicken coops for dummies.. it works great for ducks now not tons, that is why it's only 1 of my buildings but very functional, easy to build and clean... it houses my calls. sorry no "actual" pic it's mainly buried in snow right now lol

 

[Amiga]

That is similar to the design I came up with, too.

And it is easy to build and clean.

 

[2Myanimals]

 

[redsussex]

I'm thinking of getting 2 pekin ducks but I don't know much about what housing they need. Also can they roam around my garden during the day when I'm not there

 

[Amiga]

I'm thinking of getting 2 pekin ducks but I don't know much about what housing they need. Also can they roam around my garden during the day when I'm not there

If the garden keeps out all predators, and there is food and water available, shade for hot days and a relatively warm place on cold days, that may work out.

I would want 6 sq. ft. - about a half a square meter - for each of them minimum for a night shelter/house. I would build it so I could get half a meter of bedding in there especially during colder weather, and make sure that it has good ventilation, but can be protected from wind, and I like having shade for hot weather - Pekins can really overheat sometimes.

The house needs to be easy for you to maintain, and to reach a sick or injured duck.

 

[ChickEeeDee]

I have two ducks (got them from TSC in early March) and I have them living with my 6 chicks (all purchased at the same time) .... they all have been moved into my "Motel-Chick...Duck-n-ham-Palace" and these two give me and my chicks quite the time! They have to be chased/caught and put into the house at night. After reading some comments it's nice to know it's not just my two (Qwakrs & Chz) that are giving me fits about going in at night.

. Not only are they sooooo stubborn but they are also so mean to my chicks - constantly pecking at them and chasing them around. I'm hoping it's more of a "playing' than "fighting". The house has a run attached to it and inside the run I gave the ducks a small tub that they can swim in/drink from since I have the chicks a poultry nipple watering system.
I am considering adding onto my newly built coop/run and giving the ducks their own "house" so the chicks will have a peaceful place to sleep/lay eggs w/o the ducks pecking at them.
At first I was considering just getting an igloo type dog house and calling it "done" but I'm thinking that with our last harsh winter (got below -10F in AR for about a week) ... that maybe I shall build them a little house and leave it up to them to go inside or not.
I want them to be happy and healthy ... and I don't want to be "mean mom" by making them go inside at night ... but I don't want them to get hurt/be killed. We live on 3 acres of woods and have seen it all: coons, foxes, hogs, and BEARS!!!!

So my plea for help ...... does anyone have experience with chickens and ducks living in "harmony" inside the same house or should I give them their own space? Should I keep "forcing" them into the safety of the house at night or leave them to their own and hope they know when to be cautious/take shelter?

(the run is predator proof but it's still a little too chilly at nights to leave them outside)

 

[Ren2014]

I have two ducks (got them from TSC in early March) and I have them living with my 6 chicks (all purchased at the same time) .... they all have been moved into my "Motel-Chick...Duck-n-ham-Palace" and these two give me and my chicks quite the time! They have to be chased/caught and put into the house at night. After reading some comments it's nice to know it's not just my two (Qwakrs & Chz) that are giving me fits about going in at night.

. Not only are they sooooo stubborn but they are also so mean to my chicks - constantly pecking at them and chasing them around. I'm hoping it's more of a "playing' than "fighting". The house has a run attached to it and inside the run I gave the ducks a small tub that they can swim in/drink from since I have the chicks a poultry nipple watering system.
I am considering adding onto my newly built coop/run and giving the ducks their own "house" so the chicks will have a peaceful place to sleep/lay eggs w/o the ducks pecking at them.
At first I was considering just getting an igloo type dog house and calling it "done" but I'm thinking that with our last harsh winter (got below -10F in AR for about a week) ... that maybe I shall build them a little house and leave it up to them to go inside or not.
I want them to be happy and healthy ... and I don't want to be "mean mom" by making them go inside at night ... but I don't want them to get hurt/be killed. We live on 3 acres of woods and have seen it all: coons, foxes, hogs, and BEARS!!!!

So my plea for help ...... does anyone have experience with chickens and ducks living in "harmony" inside the same house or should I give them their own space? Should I keep "forcing" them into the safety of the house at night or leave them to their own and hope they know when to be cautious/take shelter?

(the run is predator proof but it's still a little too chilly at nights to leave them outside)

I can't help with the harmony experience but yes, definitely keep forcing them into the safety of the house at night. They will eventually learn the routine. It took ours about 2 or 3 weeks. Good luck.

 

[ChickEeeDee]

 I can't help with the harmony experience but yes, definitely keep forcing them into the safety of the house at night.  They will eventually learn the routine.  It took ours about 2 or 3 weeks.  Good luck.

Thank you!!! I'll keep at it!

 

[Britesea]

I've come to the conclusion that all ducks are obsessive/compulsive, lol. They absolutely hate hate hate any changes. But by the same token, once they do finally get used to something, like a new house, you don't have to worry much anymore- they will troop in every night all on their own (except full moon nights- I notice they want to stay outside, probably because it doesn't seem dark enough to be bedtime yet). Right now, I'm trying to teach them that it's OK to leave the coop run during the daytime and free range. This morning, hubby opened the gate and told them "come on!" and started moving toward the gate. After he took a couple of steps, they were looking at him, and quacking to each other, and looking at the gate, and looking at him.... and then they all waddled out after him, as if he was the lead duck. They have been busy finding good things to eat all morning, and now are settled in the shade in a spot that is pretty secure from airborne attacks, with Lucky on guard (so called because he was the only drake able to evade us when we had the Great Drake Kill Off last month).

We made a couple of duck pergolas by attaching 4 2x4 legs to pallet, and have them scattered about to give the kids a shelter to run to if they hear an eagle.