Duck shelter

[Quailfarmer6]

What kind of shelter should you build for ducks? Should you just use a chicken coop or a small fenced in area?

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

If you have predators like I do just fenced in wont work. Coyote and bobcats, raccoons and possums dig under or come over the top. You will need a more secure area for night. A fenced in area by day would work. I let mine free range during the day and lose an occasional one to bobcats. Raccoons are particularly hard on young ducks. I have a horse stall on concrete that I wired to the ceiling and have not lost one from that.

 

[chickens really]

I have a Covered 10X10 Dog Run and an insulated Dog House..I free range only when I can watch over them and my Dogs are loose on the property to keep predators away.

 

[Savedbygrace]

Our ducks have coops which are closed and locked at night time, and a fenced in area for daytime use. They have to be safely sheltered from predators especially at night.

 

[llombardo]

Not even 2 minutes ago I was going over the plans to make a duck house for mine. They will be locked in at night and Will be in an enclosure with net top during day. The enclosure is in a fenced yard.

 

[Acampkev]

If you have predators like I do just fenced in wont work. Coyote and bobcats, raccoons and possums dig under or come over the top. You will need a more secure area for night. A fenced in area by day would work. I let mine free range during the day and lose an occasional one to bobcats. Raccoons are particularly hard on young ducks. I have a horse stall on concrete that I wired to the ceiling and have not lost one from that.

How do you get your ducks to come back to their enclosed for the night? I just joined this group for duck info and seems to have a lot on it! Just purchased 5 ducklings and am building a home this weekend for when they outgrow their current pen. My ducks will free range during the day as a I have a lovely pond for them to enjoy, my only fear is not being able to get them out if the pond and into their coop for the night. Thanks!!

 

[Jpat]

Make it tight with no gaps and windows with heavey steel mesh. I built mine then rebuilt it 5 times before i was satisfied haha.

Weasels are my fear

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

Some treats to get them out of the pond. My girls will do almost anything for cooked macaroni. Then walk slowly behind them with your arms spread out to herd them up. If you water and chow them immediately in about two weeks they will start putting themselves away when you call them or they see the feed bowl. They are creatures of habit so try putting them up and letting them out close to the same time every day. It may take a little while the first few times but they learn fast. If I don't get out at the regular time my girls have often already put themselves away and I just need to feed water and close the door. The geese were another story.......

 

[gtcakes]

Ours got used to going in their house after making them go in for a week or two. Now they go in most nights and we don’t lock anymore (the big Pekin seems to have predators on lockdown - although I think Owls are our only problem anyways).

 

[atomic]

When I moved my ducklings outside to their pen I left them in there for a week or so so they would know that's their home. I also have an older pair that I figured would show them the ropes. They have fun all day free ranging the yard and stream, but know when it's time to start heading in for the night.