Have to build new duck accommodations fast

[Floof]

So I bought land last summer that we are FINALLY getting to put a manufactured home on. We are set to move in at the beginning of September. The land I bought is on a hillside so there is quite a bit of "reshaping" going on to flatten out areas for the house. I want it terraced to make more usable or even mow-able space but am getting push back from the contractor and from my husband. One of the areas that apparently needs to be reshaped is on one of the few existing flat spots that I build my ducks house.... the guy let me know yesterday that I need to move it by Monday. I have to tear down my duck house as I did not build it to be portable and find a new way to house my 21 ducks. I don't plan to keep all 21 in the end, many of them are males and I just don't have enough females to keep a good balance, but for at least a few more weeks I'll need to house them all. I am scrambling! I don't know what to do. I need to make a structure or multiple structures that I can cart around and keep out of the way while they are doing all this work. I have predators like coyotes and I have seen what looks like bear scat (what else makes GIANT turds??) so I know it has to be sturdy. I desperately need suggestions. Budget is a big factor. I have mostly large breed ducks aging from 2-3 months old. Could they be housed in groups of 4 or 5 in cages like these? What if I ran the hardware cloth all the way to the bottom and built a ramp to get them more room (sort of like a bunny cage)?

My only other idea is a hoop house but I don't know if that would be predator proof enough while still being mobile.

I need and appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Ratchnick]

Are You sure you cant just move the duck house with a fork lift, or better yet the equipment they are using to shape your land? A pic of the house would help. Maybe You can just drag it?

 

[Floof]

Are You sure you cant just move the duck house with a fork lift, or better yet the equipment they are using to shape your land? A pic of the house would help. Maybe You can just drag it?

Definitely not haha

 

[Floof]

Are You sure you cant just move the duck house with a fork lift, or better yet the equipment they are using to shape your land? A pic of the house would help. Maybe You can just drag it?

It's made of 2x4s and reclaimed windows and is surrounded by slopes on every side. Theres no way to move it without destroying it. Best I can try is to disassemble it and reassemble when everything is done in September. I need interim housing though for the duckies. I have a corner I can stash pieces but will likely need to move things several times to keep them out of the way.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Man that is a short span to try and make something safe and movable.

Ducks don't do steep or tall ramps very well if at all.

I am thinking pallets. May work for a short while, are movable (by taking apart and moving literally). They would need the gaps in the slats covered so they do not get stuck.

There isn't much that is bear proof......

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do you have a friend that could house them while this is going on? Maybe they have a sturdy shed you could use for the time being with a dog kennel around it? Then hardware cloth over and around the kennel? A promise of fresh eggs ?

 

[DuckyDonna]

I think that pallets will probably be your best option. Screw them together and use lots of hardware cloth. If you took your other house apart you'd probably have more materials you could put to good use too like those windows!

That house you have not does not look big enough to house 21 ducks so you might want to think about making it a lot bigger anyway with divisions in it to separate the drakes from the ducks.

 

[jsr5]

It wouldn't be level and doubt ducks would care but looks like a easy log roll downhill a ways. use the rounded landscape timbers lift with a jack put timbers underas far in as possible then keep adding timbers in front picking up from behind till you have down hill then you can work on leveling it at your leisure dig in a bit on one side add pillars on the other then add HC to reclose up and add any ramps needed. Be my idea based on the picture. But I don't know what is out of frame.

 

[Ratchnick]

You could buy one of those portable electric mesh fences. That will keep the preds out then a simple hoop house like your building a low tunnel out of pvc. Take two hours to build.

 

[Floof]

Do you have a friend that could house them while this is going on? Maybe they have a sturdy shed you could use for the time being with a dog kennel around it? Then hardware cloth over and around the kennel? A promise of fresh eggs ?

Unfortunately the only people I know are coworkers and other apartment dwellers. I don't have any friends or family here.