How many ducks can I fit?

[Violanna]

I am getting 2 day old ducklings on Thursday. We were originally planning to house them with our chicken flock, however with advice from members here we decided to have the ducks take over our tortoise yard. The enclosure is 4x4x3 and fully insulated. The yard is approximately 20x30 but in reality actually larger than that just too large to get a proper measurement.

I’m wondering how many ducks I could actually have in this space and still have the happy and healthy?

 

[ruthhope]

Hi @Violanna

I think perhaps 4 ducks might be housed in a 4x4 enclosure. While my coup is 8x4 housing 4 ducks, the general rule is 4 square feet each at night.

I often house mine in dogcrates inside my coop when they are squabbling; the dog crates are each just under 4 square feet, and the ducks are happy in them [they go in of their own volition after a few nights being placed in their crate] But I wouldn't give ducks bedding down together less than 4 square feet each overall, as they might get aggressive with each other if they feel cramped.

Where will the tortoise live?

 

[Violanna]

Hi @Violanna

I think perhaps 4 ducks might be housed in a 4x4 enclosure. While my coup is 8x4 housing 4 ducks, the general rule is 4 square feet each at night.

I often house mine in dogcrates inside my coop when they are squabbling; the dog crates are each just under 4 square feet, and the ducks are happy in them [they go in of their own volition after a few nights being placed in their crate] But I wouldn't give ducks bedding down together less than 4 square feet each overall, as they might get aggressive with each other if they feel cramped.

Where will the tortoise live?

We sadly are finding the tortoise a new home. My yard is HEAVILY treed with very sandy soil. So it’s near impossible to grow anything. It’s not fair to the tortoise to have such a subpar diet of mostly store bought veggies. He needs someone that can provide weeds and grasses. I have 2 months to find the perfect home! If I can’t find one we will move him to my in laws ranch.

 

[ruthhope]

We sadly are finding the tortoise a new home. My yard is HEAVILY treed with very sandy soil. So it’s near impossible to grow anything. It’s not fair to the tortoise to have such a subpar diet of mostly store bought veggies. He needs someone that can provide weeds and grasses. I have 2 months to find the perfect home! If I can’t find one we will move him to my in laws ranch.

Glad you value your tortoise's quality of life!, @Violanna . Where are you? the conditions sound like my NE Florida conditions

 

[Violanna]

Glad you value your tortoise's quality of life!, @Violanna . Where are you? the conditions sound like my NE Florida conditions

I’m in North Texas my area should be ideal for a Sulcata tortoise. But we are right next to a large lake which is why the sandy soil. And I have over 30 trees so not enough sunlight for anything else