Ducklings and building a duck house

[70%cocoa]

I'm glad you found what you were after. For the record, 10m of that mesh is about $70 at Bunnings. MetalMart is the way to go!

I wouldn't be too surprised at what a fox can manage if it's determined but I'd think you'd be fairly safe with your plan. Usually they get in by digging, tearing a hole in mesh while standing on the ground, or climbing over a fence. If you have the strong mesh on the bottom half then this'll cover the vulnerable bits. When the budget allows I'd convert the remaining chicken wire to mesh.

What are your plans for stopping them digging in through the bottom of the 'outdoor' run (the bit you built beforehand)? Options are flooring the whole thing in mesh (I use welded mesh panels) or having a skirt of mesh laid out on the ground around the perimeter and buried a bit (at least 40cm out form the pen). Covering the floor is by far the safest. I've used 75mm x 50mm mesh panels (from MetalMart).

All the metal is the expensive bit when building a pen.... I've built four duck pens and they've all cost me the better part of $1000. Building No. 4 as we speak.

 

[Hunter0704]

Here in the US when I went to put 1/2" hardware cloth on my run that has cyclone fencing around it, it was suggested that I use hog clips to fasten it to the cyclone fencing. There is a special little hand tool needed to squeeze the hog clips in place. Don't know if you all have anything like what I'm speaking of, but if you do, get the metal hog clips. It will save you from having to replace the plastic ties when they break.

 

[konazz]

Haven't been back - busy trying to get the whole thing up and running.

I did end up going to Metal Mart, where the guys gave me the 30 metre 900 wide 75x50mm squares, 2.0mm thick welded mesh for the same price as the avarian wire... much more fox resistant. Also picked up some cheap corrugated iron roof off-cuts for $10.

Basically, ended up meshing the entire bottom, and using A LOT of zip ties to hold the overlaps (until 1m3 of dirt was dropped onto it - i.e. it won't budget now!).

Ended up using U-nails which worked a treat (couldn't rip a panel off, when I put it on crooked - gave up after 5 mins). Basically up to 900mm high is wire meshed, with the above then double/triple chicken wire meshed (it was free - and trying to keep costs down. Theres an area about 20cm wide at the top that isn't double meshed Eventually, I'll get around to wire meshing the whole thing once I can afford another 30m roll - but not for a while! The bottom is impenetrable, as there's a full length, uncut barrier pretty much as the way around (bottom 100mm is really double wire meshed!)

The plumbing worked a treat, and drains water VERY quickly (there was a bit of an OMG moment when the tap was leaking... there was something jammed in it - cleared it though and complete seal). Could see any leaks under the house.

They don't like the ramp too much can't figure out a way to coax them into their new pond, they just sit at the bottom of the ramp until we pick them up and put them up there.

Its also hail proof It hailed while I was working on the house and hid under it for 20 mins while the rain/hail passed over without getting wet.

I've planted a row of trees to give them shade eventually, and make it a bit more green. At the moment theres my rosemary plant in there to green it up a bit (they ate half of it this morning

) Need to get them some nice (well grown) plants in there instead.

The floor will be covered by LOTS of hay (easier to clean), just haven't had a chance to get to the stock feed place this week (supposedly I'm still expected to go to work?!)

Some photos though.






1st layer of chicken wire meshing


Hail testing


The last time it'll be clean!!!


Swim and explore time

 

[jdywntr]

Looks good! Maybe try stairs instead of a ramp? I've only ever used concrete blocks if mine need to get up somewhere but its not that high either. Great job they look like some happy Pekins.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Haven't been back - busy trying to get the whole thing up and running.

I did end up going to Metal Mart, where the guys gave me the 30 metre 900 wide 75x50mm squares, 2.0mm thick welded mesh for the same price as the avarian wire... much more fox resistant. Also picked up some cheap corrugated iron roof off-cuts for $10.

Basically, ended up meshing the entire bottom, and using A LOT of zip ties to hold the overlaps (until 1m3 of dirt was dropped onto it - i.e. it won't budget now!).

Ended up using U-nails which worked a treat (couldn't rip a panel off, when I put it on crooked - gave up after 5 mins). Basically up to 900mm high is wire meshed, with the above then double/triple chicken wire meshed (it was free - and trying to keep costs down. Theres an area about 20cm wide at the top that isn't double meshed Eventually, I'll get around to wire meshing the whole thing once I can afford another 30m roll - but not for a while! The bottom is impenetrable, as there's a full length, uncut barrier pretty much as the way around (bottom 100mm is really double wire meshed!)

The plumbing worked a treat, and drains water VERY quickly (there was a bit of an OMG moment when the tap was leaking... there was something jammed in it - cleared it though and complete seal). Could see any leaks under the house.

They don't like the ramp too much can't figure out a way to coax them into their new pond, they just sit at the bottom of the ramp until we pick them up and put them up there.

Its also hail proof It hailed while I was working on the house and hid under it for 20 mins while the rain/hail passed over without getting wet.

I've planted a row of trees to give them shade eventually, and make it a bit more green. At the moment theres my rosemary plant in there to green it up a bit (they ate half of it this morning

) Need to get them some nice (well grown) plants in there instead.

The floor will be covered by LOTS of hay (easier to clean), just haven't had a chance to get to the stock feed place this week (supposedly I'm still expected to go to work?!)

Some photos though.






1st layer of chicken wire meshing


Hail testing


The last time it'll be clean!!!


Swim and explore time

That is very nice, my ducks and chickens and goose have always used a ramp, to get into their house and also to get into their pool, well not the chickens into the pool. lol but they have never had any problem with it. That is a real nice setup.
I will say that mine have used ramps since the beginning so it may take some time for yours to get use to the ramp. try using a little w/w bread to teach them to go up and down the ramp that may help.

 

[konazz]

We've figured out a way to get them up - water melon (they'll eat one whole is we let em at it). Went to Aldi (they had whole ones for $0.49/kg - all sold out)

 

[Tahai]

wow.

 

[70%cocoa]

That looks amazing, and I love the colour!!! Goes so well with your white ducks too. Beautiful.

Maybe put some cheap, finer mesh round the bottom to stop them putting their heads out through the 75 x 50mm mesh. Even just 25mm x 25mm black plastic netting (about $10 for 10m from Bunnings).

 

[Wynette]

Konazz, what is the black tub you have used for a pool? It looks sort of like a concrete mixing tub, but it looks much larger. Is it sturdy? Looks like that might be just the thing I would need for mine, since I'll only be getting a couple.

 

[konazz]

Not its a 200l square pond I got from a hardware store. I wouldn't want to leave it unsupported - i.e. there's no way to tip the water out (like the smaller 50l clam shell style pools) - hence why the pond is raised, and a draining system put underneath. Its not very sturdy - easy to cut through with a knife I reackon.