Help/ Advice with ducks that just randomly showed up

[bbfraz]

It all depends on what kind of predators you have in your area: If the dog house will protect them from the local bad guys over night (worst are raccoons!) and you have no areal predators (birds of prey) the dog house would be enough and you can let them roam free on your property during the day.
I have a luxurious two bedroom apartment for my ducks for the night that will keep the 'coons at bey and during the day the can run freely around my house. I have areal predators, but they are being kept busy by the local crows (who receive cracked corn as payment). I have lost one duck to a raccoon because i was late home and my drake Donald disappeared in broad daylight two days after my wife spotted two coyotes.
Of course if you live in a predator infested area like @Magnolia Ducks you would have to build a duck-bunker and keep them protected day and night.
It all depends on your area…

Got it, Thanks! We live in a wooded area in the midwest so lots of racoons and coyotes. It's pretty low key in the day because we are all outside and critters usually dont creep in the yard.

 

[bbfraz]

if you can get something to cover the top so things can't climb over and hawks and owls can't fly in for dinner that would be a great start! The only thing I'd worry about is weasels or minks getting in and they can through the chain link. They are viscious little things that seem to just love to kill. Hardware cloth will keep them out. Hey, if you know anyone that has taken off a tin roof and still has the material you could put that over the top too or something like that. Just thinking here trying to come up with something. You could even lay some boards across the top and then lay down some fencing or something over them.

I'm on it!

 

[DuckyDonna]

I'm on it!

you might even be able to put a tarp on top too. Of course that won't keep out racoons but say you put a few boards across, then a tarp and then something else like the tin roof material or even plywood, hardware cloth or something on top of that that you could secure. Dumpster dive, my favorite sport!

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

if you can get something to cover the top so things can't climb over and hawks and owls can't fly in for dinner that would be a great start! The only thing I'd worry about is weasels or minks getting in and they can through the chain link. They are viscious little things that seem to just love to kill. Hardware cloth will keep them out. Hey, if you know anyone that has taken off a tin roof and still has the material you could put that over the top too or something like that. Just thinking here trying to come up with something. You could even lay some boards across the top and then lay down some fencing or something over them.

Weasels and minks are my worst nightmare. They will find their way into the duck house if they want to. They fit through that tiny crack that you haven't seen because you're too tall/not tall enough and then…

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Got it, Thanks! We live in a wooded area in the midwest so lots of racoons and coyotes. It's pretty low key in the day because we are all outside and critters usually dont creep in the yard.

Another unexpected duck killer are stray dogs, so if you have a neighbor with a "cute" dog, beware.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

I'm on it!

TSC has plastic poultry netting fairly inexpensive. I got a big roll for about 25 bucks and used it for drake jail.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Bless you taking these ducks in they sure are pretty.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

TSC has plastic poultry netting fairly inexpensive. I got a big roll for about 25 bucks and used it for drake jail.

Only suggested to deter Arial predator s. Not strong enough for trash pandas.

 

[Duckworth]

I would at least tarp the top and zip tie it tightly enough to be a deterrent to owls and hawks and to slow down raccoons while you work out something more predator proof. Raccoons are known to reach through chain link, welded wire, or chicken wire and grab and injure or kill sleeping ducks. I would wrap the lower three feet of the chain link in 1/2" hardware cloth to prevent that. The ideal would be having a duck house that you can secure them in at dusk that will keep them safe even if something breaches the kennel. Four by four feet should be big enough for two pekins. Ducks sleep at ground level and need no perches, roosts or nesting boxes. Just put big enough doors on it that cleanout and egg gathering are easy. They don't need fancy--just secure, dry, ventilated, and a shelter from wind, rain and snow. Scrap and found materials are fine. You can build them a spiffy place later on if you want to, but right now, security is paramount.

 

[LilyLoo]

My neighbor had a small chain link chicken - duck pen and said he came out one night to find 3 racoon's on top and 1 on the bottom side. He said they scare them to the sides so they can grab them. It's awful how they gang up on the defenseless feathered friends. Secure the top and sides as soon as possible. Your two new ducks are adorable and very lucky to have you.