Duck Pop Door Dimensions

[mdnees]

I've searched google and the BYC forums and have been unable to find the answer I'm looking for - hoping someone can help me out. I'm about to finish my duck coop and I need to know how big to make the pop door. Does it really matter how big the door is? The coop is built from pallets and I was thinking of making it half the size of a pallet (picture it laying horizontally on its side) and fairly wide. Would this work?

 

[cosbackyard]

I think mine's only 10"x10" and it's fine for my medium-sized campbells.
In a cold climate a big door could be a liability, depending on whether you keep it open or not and how air tight it is.

 

[mdnees]

Thanks! And if you don't mind - how tall is your housing for your ducks? I read somewhere (I think Storey's Guide) the walls had to be at least 4 feet tall, but was curious if it was okay to go 3 feet.

 

[scooterward]

I have a wooden dog house for the duck house (I made the top hinged so I can have access to the inside) so their door is a doggie door size that I put a piece of wood on (hinged, so I can open and close the door). I wouldn't make it big at all. As cosbackyard mentioned, it could be a liability if you live in a cold area.

 

[cosbackyard]

3' would be fine. Most ducks don't need roost bars. Mine would just stare at one.
I have 44" in the front and 36" in the back. More than enough height. In fact I have a split-level design on the inside so the chickens have a place above the ducks.

Here's a pic of the coop. Still working on the trim and paint. The ducks don't love the ramp but they use it.

 

[mdnees]

Nice coop! Thanks for your help with this!

 

[Gypsy52]

My ducks roost with the chickens,lol. I've been meaning to make a duck box. Daffy was acting weird today like he was trying to find a nest for Daphne,maybe she's getting ready to lay an egg. I've been meaning to make one out of pallets, but it was big for the space I wanted to put it in. I have a garden house made from a goat barn. They hang out in what was the tool section that was 2alled off from the rest of the building. Sour I custom made the box the width of that space, 30" wide, 30" deep, 28" high, made from materials I had and scavenged from a house remodel. Getting ready to put a doorway on. I was wondering about the opening too. I'm thinking a 12 by 12. After all its their nest. I'm just hoping they take to it.