Duck nesting boxes necessary?

[HennyPenny44]

I’m about to build a duck house and I’ve read conflicting information pertaining to nesting boxes. Some sources say that they like to have a place to lay their eggs with privacy. Other sources say they don’t need them since they’ll just lay eggs on the floor. I haven’t had ducks before so I have no idea what to expect. What has been your experience?

 

[picklestheduck]

I’m about to build a duck house and I’ve read conflicting information pertaining to nesting boxes. Some sources say that they like to have a place to lay their eggs with privacy. Other sources say they don’t need them since they’ll just lay eggs on the floor. I haven’t had ducks before so I have no idea what to expect. What has been your experience?

I have nesting boxes on the floor for mine and they like them and use them frequently. Sometimes my ducks will lay eggs in the middle of the coop but mine usually like a private place to do their business.

 

[HennyPenny44]

Thank you.

 

[ruthhope]

My son has pekins and they initially dropped their eggs anywhere. I put two drawers from an old cabinet in the coop and found they used them: not as intended though. Initially both pekin females and my son's muscovy female layed in one box and the pekin drake slept in the other. I added another drawer and a similar sized wooden crate. The muscovy and one pekin continue to share one drawer. I often found them squeezed in together in the morning! The second pekin used a separate box.

They don't have any privacy in the shallow drawers, but they do have specific nesting space and they use it! They all still use the drawers 2 years on!

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Sometimes they use them... Sometimes they don't... If you don't have them they can't, just because you want them to doesn't mean they will



I tried many many versions... The classic drawers, various shaped boxes. Finally those big black bathing/drinking tubs made of recycled plastics that are "freeze" proof, filled with straw became a nest because whenever she made an egg on the floor I picked it up and put it into the basket in front of her before taking her outside in the morning. (Kind of like picking up her toys she left scattered would teach a toddler what you expect of them, but somehow never works on a spouse)

If you always leave an egg in the basket she'll likely make the next one there to keep it company.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Oh! And the initial reason I had that tub full of straw in the space is that I leave a bowl of water in that particular coop and they kept ruining all the bedding every day with water, so I made "waterproof" beds by using the drinking tub for the exact opposite use the designers intended (to keep water out instead of keep water in). Your biggest choice in duck house building is "water inside or outside"

I have a second home for them (for when it is warmer) in the duck garden (where the pond is) I made a floor there that has 2 levels. Just on the inside of the door the floor is about 4" lower than the rest of the area. That is where the water bowl goes. If they spill (did I type "if"? That should be "when they spill") the water leaks outside over materials that are not damaged by water (and are designed to dry out) but does not go to where the bedding is.

They are wonderful, but you have to decide if part of what you love is the mess. They don't mean to be messy... They were not designed to live in "dry" homes, we made that choice for them when we decided that predator proofing was easier on us when you have walls and floors. They don't make a mess in the pond they just ruin the bedding trying to make the coop into a pond.

 

[Colley12]

Mine created a nest in their house and lay in their nest. I use shavings and then throw some straw in over top. They use the straw to create a nest. I've seen them arrange rocks outside into a nest. So I'm guessing I may get some outside nests in the spring. But so far mine haven't needed a nesting box.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I've seen them arrange rocks outside into a nest

*smile*

Isn't that lovely! I had two Muscovy girls who would make little nests together under the blueberry bushes. They ended up using them to hide from the sun on hot days. They are very tender and sweet to watch.

 

[telandra2]

My Ancona 100% use their nest boxes ... until they get broody and start hiding nests in the lilac.

 

[HennyPenny44]

My son has pekins and they initially dropped their eggs anywhere. I put two drawers from an old cabinet in the coop and found they used them: not as intended though. Initially both pekin females and my son's muscovy female layed in one box and the pekin drake slept in the other. I added another drawer and a similar sized wooden crate. The muscovy and one pekin continue to share one drawer. I often found them squeezed in together in the morning! The second pekin used a separate box.

They don't have any privacy in the shallow drawers, but they do have specific nesting space and they use it! They all still use the drawers 2 years on!

Birds do have minds of their own! At least I find that to be the case with my chickens. I guess it’s good you give the ducks the option of nesting boxes. I would imagine it cuts down on the dirtiness of the eggs which is one of my main considerations.