Duck nesting boxes necessary?

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

One of their nests they made. Moved all the big rocks out of the center and lined them in a nice circle
View attachment 3418736

That is so smart they selected a rainproof spot with just enough shade and 2 access points.

They are just geniuses... That's settled. Genius mommas.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I have done dog crate and my girls mostly lay eggs in them
I leave the duck door open all day and they will go back in and lay in there
My younger girls are are still moving their eggs around a few corners and the dog crates but the older girls are all in the crates
I stared with 1 and now have 4 of them as they were fighting over them when needing to lay eggs

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I have done dog crate and my girls mostly lay eggs in them
I leave the duck door open all day and they will go back in and lay in there
My younger girls are are still moving their eggs around a few corners and the dog crates but the older girls are all in the crates
I stared with 1 and now have 4 of them as they were fighting over them when needing to lay eggs

Nice, easy (ish) to clean too... Important with ducks

Great options with premade roof as well (who would not want a little privacy when preparing babies)

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

. I definitely will be putting water outside of the duck house

It is a little harder with ducks... Water is a constant need... In winter I have no choice because they spend more time inside and outside bathing is not always healthy. (I am in Canada)

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

Nice, easy (ish) to clean too... Important with ducks

Great options with premade roof as well (who would not want a little privacy when preparing babies)

I take the door off but it’s easy to put back on if needed
When I do need to take one to the vet it’s really easy as they aren’t scared of the crate
It’s a bonus

 

[HennyPenny44]

I painted all the wood then put it down...maybe that helps. Mine hasn't come up yet!

Edit: I don't have chickens, so I don't think my ducks scratch at it too. I love finding things at habitat...love that you got a roll for so cheap!!

My floor is just plain plywood covered with the tiles. I don’t think it’s so much the chickens scratching as the glue failing. I got some adhesive for vinyl floors to hopefully remedy that. I worry about rot from constant moisture exposure so it’s a must for me but I may try painting the floor like you suggest.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

When I do need to take one to the vet it’s really easy as they aren’t scared of the crate

How sneaky! (And deliciously clever )

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Plus it’s easy to clean with soap and water.

I wash with a bit of dish-soap (sometimes dissolved in vinegar) and just enough water to make a fluid that can be swooshed around with a broom. The broom is fun for scrubbing the nasty spots, and does not absorb. Then I throw pine shavings onto that "mess" of poo-soap-water, and sweep up the wet shavings straight into the compost. It cleans well and since it is dish-soap it is non-toxic.

The only "critic" is my spouse who dislikes the smell of vinegar. I point to my lovely clean floor and suggest if he can clean without it, he is welcome to do so.

 

[HennyPenny44]

I wash with a bit of dish-soap (sometimes dissolved in vinegar) and just enough water to make a fluid that can be swooshed around with a broom. The broom is fun for scrubbing the nasty spots, and does not absorb. Then I throw pine shavings onto that "mess" of poo-soap-water, and sweep up the wet shavings straight into the compost. It cleans well and since it is dish-soap it is non-toxic.

The only "critic" is my spouse who dislikes the smell of vinegar. I point to my lovely clean floor and suggest if he can clean without it, he is welcome to do so.

My husband hates vinegar smell too but then again, the animal housing is all my responsibility. That’s pretty clever with the poo soap water shavings. Sounds like a time saver. I have to try that!

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

plain plywood covered with the tiles.

Plywood is super smooth, so the glue would have had trouble sticking... If you can, use a gritty paint (I believe they put sand into paint sometimes) or rough up your surface with a heavy sandpaper (rough grit) then apply the glue & then vinyl