FINALLY got some outdoor housing..!

[Maddog_photog]

I finally got an outdoor overnight box for duckies!! I’ll be trying one pair tonight! It is approx 3’ x 8’ with 1/4” hardware cloth going up the first two feet, and chicken wire the top 2’, with about a foot of overlap. Held down tight onto plywood with bungee cords (not pictured) plexiglass roofing I installed today, and it’s ready to go!! More of a Motel6 than a Best Western but it’s 4 walls and a roof.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Looks great! I bet the ducks will love it!
Depending on what predators you have, you may want to think about or add an apron of hardware cloth if this shelter will stay in one place.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

please don’t leave them there! not predator proof at all! not enough wind shelter!

 

[Maddog_photog]

Looks great! I bet the ducks will love it!
Depending on what predators you have, you may want to think about or add an apron of hardware cloth if this shelter will stay in one place.

What is an apron of hardware cloth?

 

[Maddog_photog]

please don’t leave them there! not predator proof at all! not enough wind shelter!

It is only for overnight. They will free range the backyard during the day. Nothing will get in underneath or on top. Nothing can reach through. Predators are gonna have a hard time getting into this thing.

 

[CluckerFamily]

What is an apron of hardware cloth?

Most people do a foot apron, I did a two foot apron. You attach hardware cloth to the bottom of the fence and lay it down on the ground so that it is a foot out from the walls. This helps deter predators from digging under the walls and into the shelter. Chicken wire isn't a good idea for an apron because predators can break it easily.

 

[Maddog_photog]

Most people do a foot apron, I did a two foot apron. You attach hardware cloth to the bottom of the fence and lay it down on the ground so that it is a foot out from the walls. This helps deter predators from digging under the walls and into the shelter. Chicken wire isn't a good idea for an apron because predators can break it easily.

The entire bottom of the enclosure is plywood, so a predator would have to dig under to the plywood and then break though the wood to get inside.

 

[CluckerFamily]

The entire bottom of the enclosure is plywood, so a predator would have to dig under to the plywood and then break though the wood to get inside.

I didn't even notice the plywood!!!

 

[Maddog_photog]

I didn't even notice the plywood!!!

Lol it’s covered with straw!

 

[Maddog_photog]

They’re in! And successfully avoided first predator sighting!!