How much coop space does a runner duck need?

[daze333]

I built a 3x7 foot coop for my ducks. How many ducks can I fit into there without stressing them out etc? I have never heard of the formulas for ducks like I have for chickens.
Thanks!

 

[duck_shepherdess]

I would also like to know people's thoughts on the subject. Most often I hear 4 sqft/duck but some people say 2 or 1.5. If they are going to be in for extended periods of time, like during harsh winters, then their space requirements go up.

 

[katharinad]

My 9 have 10x10 feet, or about 10 sqft each. I love that much space, because it gives me enough space to have beds for each one of them. The actually each sleep in their own beds, but laying eggs is another story. They sometimes lay it all into one bed, at other days in individual beds, and on the floor too. I also have their food and water in it, plus a large storage bin with their food and another one for the bedding material. They still have enough space to move around. You can go with less space, and I think 1.5 is the minimum. I tell you more is better. It not only improves air quality, it also keeps the wet poo mess in control. I would not put more then 10 ducks into your coop.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

If you have Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks look on page 193. Holderread says "When medium to large sized ducks are housed only at night, allow at least 2.5 to 4 square feet of floor space per bird. If you anticipate keeping your ducks inside continuously during severe weather, a minimum of 5 to 8 square feet of floor space per bird should be provided. Bantam breeds require approximately half the floor space of larger ducks." A runner is not large enough to be considered a medium classed duck, which start at six lbs., so figure from there.
edited because I left something out

 

[Amiga]

My ten runners do fine in a 4' x 8' house with an attached "veranda" the same dimensions for nighttime. They have another 160 sf day pen. The day pen has fencing across the top, so I can place a tarp to keep parts of it less wet during rainy times.

I agree with katharinad, that extra room helps avoid a waste management crisis. I have a double ("Dutch") door for me, so I can reach anywhere in their house to gather eggs, cleanup, fluff bedding, etc.

 

[MomMommyMamma]

So glad I found this info! We're building our duck house this weekend. Do you have floors? What bedding do you use?

 

[aineheartsyou]

3sqft per bird you could get 7, 4sqft - 5

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Hi Amiga, I have a question (or probably multiple questions) for you. For my 4 runners (5 weeks old), we have built an 8'x8' barn, so that's 64 square feet. They have a yard that is 20'x30' to free range in.

Problem is, our runners were never sexed because they were an "accident" and fell in our laps by way of some friends. Only one is quacking, so we may very well have 3 males to 1 female! We might need to get our hands on more females. So here come the questions:

-I've read that with 10 ducks, you can keep a 1:1 ratio... is this true?
-If I order or find more females, I'm thinking about getting 3 (to hedge against death)... but if all 3 survive then I'd have a total of 7 ducks. So is my space large enough for seven?
-Where I'm at, we get a few weeks of below zero weather in the winter. What can runners tolerate (and if I had to pin them up, is my 8'x8' barn large enough?)?

Thank you so much for any help you can offer!

-Tracy

OH, and of course anyone else chime in who has advice to offer!!! Thank you!!!

 

[TracyLovesDucks]

Quote:

3sqft per bird you could get 7, 4sqft - 5

So if my calculation is correct, I could fit 16 to 21 ducks in an 8'x8' barn (8' x 8' =64sf... then 64sf/4sf = 16 and 64sf/3sf = 21). That sure seems like cramped living quarters. Is this correct?

 

[Carrosaur]

Would a 10x10 work for a Khaki Campbell and a Pekin for most of the day, all night, 365 days? They would free range in my acre lot if I'm out with them.