Duck Pen Security

[RhodysMom]

Now that my little ones are getting bigger, I'm starting to think about their move outdoors. I'm looking for some input on how to best house them securely. Right now they're in a 2x4 hutch that stands approx 2 ft off the ground. It's great for now (in the basement) but I wouldn't trust it around a crafty raccoon without added protection.

I've been reading lots of different opinions about fencing. Is chicken wire ok (they'll only be out in the daytime and will be locked up in a coop/hutch at night) or should I go for the smaller hardware cloth? If I do go for the hardware cloth, is it necessary to have that over the whole enclosure or can I do chicken wire for the top? We live near a hawk migration site so I have to cover the pen or I'll worry all day.

At night, should they stay in the coop/hutch outdoors (hutch within fenced in area) or would it be better for them to come inside? I have a large shed that I could easily convert half to house ducks with the addition of extra ventilation, but I'm still worried that rats may find their way in. Should they be in a coop inside the shed or is that overkill? Sorry for the 20 questions but I want to keep my babies safe and don't want to find out the hard way that my efforts were inadequate.

 

[Kevin565]

If the hutch is well protected you should be fine with that. For a pen I personally would vote hardware cloth. It's more expensive but people seem to lose less birds with it than chicken wire.