Ducks and what they need in a coop/run

[RSTinWA]

I'm new to ducks, and my 6 Swedish Blue girls are about 7 weeks old. I live in suburbs of Seattle, and our yard is on the edge of the Mountains to Sound Greenbelt, very steep hill, and light shade from trees.

My girls are in a 10 x 10 x 6 chain link dog kennel, with a skirting of hardware cloth and chain link and hardware cloth roof. I've got straw on the ground, though the area where their water is kept has gravel to improve drainage. One corner has a tarp right now to keep the feed dry and give them a place to get out of the rain. There is a large dogloo house for them to shelter inside.

I want to build an enclosure attached to the outside of my current run to give them more shelter for rain and winter weather. I know I need ventilation and square footage per bird, so I guess my main question is -- if I build it, will they use it? Currently, they pretty much ignore the dogloo and tarped corner of the run, and choose so snuggle together in the area where the rain is coming in. Our temps are still dipping into the upper 40's and low 50s at night, but they still choose to stay in the open area. So what do I build that will be more appealing to them then being under the open roof?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

**IF** they have a safe sheltered place to go, and they choose not to use it - either its not safe (mites, other bugs, etc most frequently) or they are enjoying the weather. Mine were out happily playing in similar temps and light rain, when no wind was present. As soon as the wind really picked up, they moved to shelter. Mine also hide during the heat of the day in my summer months, laying in the shade under my raised chicken house. When the weather is more moderate, as long as its not too windy? They sleep outside, in the dirt, though they have numerous (what I as a human would consider better) options and plenty of space - more than 100 sq ft of house for four of my ducks.

Watch your gravel "to improve drainage". I did that in my first months of ownership, around the water cups. The gravel quickly filled with duck shit and became hard like concrete during dry spells, then stank unimaginably when it was again wet - and was difficult to clean to boot. Ended up shoveling it all out and repurposing it. Now use deep litter throughout.

 

[RSTinWA]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Interesting about the gravel. I only used one bag I had sitting around, so good to know it's not an optimal choice.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

It works for some, not for others. I have clay sand or sandy clay soils where my houses and runs are located, they can get hardpan during dry spells, then don't drain well. It might have worked where I have more loam. Just raising the possibility so you know what to be alert for.

 

[Alaskan]

If adding on I would just make a roofed area, not a standard coop.

An open air coop/aviary type of thing.

If you have strong winds then have one wall. You can put up 2 more walls (so a three sided shelter) in the winter,especially if you have driving rain.

Most coops are too enclosed.

Here is my coop, in Alaska, built for ducks.

There is a lower wall so that there is wind free space,but the upper walls are wire. Only one wall is mostly solid, the side with the wire door.

This is from this winter. We had little feeder pigs in there, so put a plastic sheet on ONE side to keep out snow. Two sides are still half wire.

And here is a picture from the past. Those are feed sacks stuffed into the eve holes/gaps to keep jays from entering the coop and eating chicks. We had a broody chicken in there.

 

[RSTinWA]

Thanks, Alaskan. That helps me visualize what will work in our space.