Ducling brooder on the right track?

[Soon2BChixMom]

I’ve moved the duckies out to live with the chickens and goats. Right now they are in the chicken run at Night - until last night separated but visible to the chickens - and in the goat run with their kiddie pool during the day. My question is feeding them - not quite sure how as the chickens wont let them near the food at night and the goats gobble it up during the day. My son is building a duck house to plop down inside the goat run where they will sleep at night. I would prefer not to have their food in there as it’s not that big and there will be the added mess. Also - we have had some predator issues but I’m hoping that having the goats in the run with the ducks will keep them
Somewhat safe. Thoughts? Our biggest problem has been coyotes weasels and raccoons. None of which have bothered the goats. The chicken run is Fort Knox but not a great spot for the ducks to swim. Thanks.

What kind of feeder are you using? My suggestion - multiple feed stations. Maybe try the no waste bucket or pvc feeders. I have both and the chickens and ducks can use those. Goats shouldn't have access to feed all of the time - so you could use an open feeder for them and feed twice a day.
Pics of your outdoor set up would help.

 

[laurenhomer]

Ill go down and get pics now. The goats have a wall mounted feeder in their shed and they get two big flakes of hay every morning and meat goat grain every morning. I was thinking of running a pvc pipe feeder into the duck house so goats can’t get in and eat it but don’t the ducks need water with their food to eat? I don’t want to put any water in their house. I imagine the goats will mangle a pvc feeder trying to get the grain.

 

[laurenhomer]

 

[laurenhomer]

That’s the base of the duck house. It’s a pallet shipping crate lined with hardware cloth - it will have plywood walls and roof and a hatch door so we can lock them up safely at night. Thinking I’ll cut down a rubber stall mat for the floor under a layer of stray and have some ventilation hatch windows at the top. It’s about 4.5’x3.8’ for 3 Pekin ducks.

 

[laurenhomer]

The rest of the photos are of the chicken coop and run and the goat shed and goat run. The plan is to drop the duck house in the goat run so they can get locked up at night by have the run and eventually the tub for a pool. Need to figure out a drain stopper and drain plan for the tub. Ideas are greatly appreciated. The goat fence is 2x4 welded wire that’s 5’ high - never had a problem with anything getting in to bother the goats but do have rats and mice so easily could get weasels. I’m hoping the goat may keep them at bay?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Ok, it looks like you have plenty of water sources for them. Why do the ducks have to be fed in their house?

 

[laurenhomer]

So the goats don’t eat all their food

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

These are some photos with my feeders.
The green one is for the chickens and the bucket feeder for the ducks as I keep my ducks and chickens separated. Well, except if I am out there - I will let them intermingle. I didn't think the ducks could get into the chicken feeder (the way Is is made), but they had no issues once they got a chance to eat out of it.
The bucket feeder is a darker pic as it was taken at dusk.
I didn't make these obviously, but you can if you are inclined to do so.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Also, I am going to tag @MatthewsHomestead as she has similar species. I have had goats, but only for 4-h and not in my current set up.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

So the goats don’t eat all their food

That is why I suggested the no waste feeders - the goats cannot get into those.