Free ranging dilemma

[Chicks Galore3]

I want to get 3 to 6 ducks in April and I would rather not house them with my chickens to help with mess control. However, there is not an easy way to connect the to-be duck coop to an outside run. The coop is basically a converted large horse stall inside of my barn, with no direct access to an outside door. Would the ducks be ok outside all day with no access to their coop? I would obviously have water stations around for them and there's plenty of sheltered spaces around the farm. Would they need food or places to lay eggs? I can see this plan probably won't work, especially not in the winter, but thought I'd ask.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I want to get 3 to 6 ducks in April and I would rather not house them with my chickens to help with mess control. However, there is not an easy way to connect the to-be duck coop to an outside run. The coop is basically a converted large horse stall inside of my barn, with no direct access to an outside door. Would the ducks be ok outside all day with no access to their coop? I would obviously have water stations around for them and there's plenty of sheltered spaces around the farm. Would they need food or places to lay eggs? I can see this plan probably won't work, especially not in the winter, but thought I'd ask.

What about a direct access to an outside wall? inside the stall, then you could cut in a pop door like for chickens but larger, all you'd have to do is close and lock at night, here is what I'm talking about.