How much sqr. feet per duck?

[Chicken0Boy]

How much sqr. feet per duck? Inside and out? And how much water room?

 

[Wifezilla]

I am not sure what the experts recommend, but the more room you can spare the better.

Ducks, while adorable, are VERY messy. There is less impact if it is spread over a larger area

I have a run for the ducks that covers the back of my property. It is about 20' wide and 6' deep. I have a secure night pen in that space (that is now a maternity ward from my broody Indian Runner) that is about 8'x6'. I have 5 ducks. I am sure I could put more in there, but I would hate to have to clean up after more than 5 ducks.

 

[HottentotTeal]

I think i read around here that it's 10' for each duck. (5x5???)


For my own reference, I am going by the dimensions 1lpoock stated when he made his aviary.

His is 12' x 30' and holds 4 pairs of ducks.

The one i plan to build is about half that, but i will just be starting off with 1 pair. It looks like i would probably be able to have no problem with 2 pairs of ducks, though.

Also, it may depend on the type of duck you plan to get.

I am planning to get Hottentot Teals, which are very small ducks.

What kind are you trying to calculate dimensions for?

 

[Cerelia]

Ducks, while adorable, are VERY messy.

Isn't that the truth?!

I was actually looking at dog runs for the duck this afternoon. She's on the porch now, and locked in a heavy-duty carrier at night for protection, but with the coyotes and dogs around here, I think it will be a battle putting her anywhere off of the porch. The space requirements are good to know, thanks!​

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Quote:
I am not really sure. but I do want a bantam duck! I'm gonna get 4 hens and 1 drake is this to much for all the eggs to be fertile? Also, For this ampunt I would need 50 sqr. for them all?

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

The ratio of four hens to one drake is sufficient for fertile eggs. If you could possibly make the enclosure larger, it would be well worth the effort. My ducks have a little more than 10 sq ft per bird in their overnight enclosure and they free range during the day... Even so their enclosure gets pretty gross pretty quickly.

 

[Amiga]

Storey's Guide recommends a minimum of 10 to 25 square feet per duck, a shaded area, good drainage, and a surface free of stagnant waterholes and deep mud.

I think the range is related to the size of the ducks and whether they have other areas to forage (10 sf) or are locked in all or most of the time (25 sf).

Mine have 10+ per duck, and they will be moved around the gardens regularly with temporary fence.

 

[sianara]

My Australian Spotted have a 14' x 20' yard. Their duck house sits inside this yard and is 4' x 15'. So, that's 140 sq feet per duck at this point. Next year I will probably let her raise a brood of ducklings and keep any females that hatch but I don't think I'll ever have more than 6 bantam ducks in this area which would be a total of 46.66 sq feet per duck. When I see the two of them foraging around in this big yard I can't imagine giving them any smaller a space.

My 3 Golden 300 Hybrids have a 14' x 20' yard also. Keep in mind these girls are triple the size of the Spots but even so they currently have 93.33 sq feet per duck. I'm adding 5 new ducks similiar in size to this group but will be expanding their yard to more than double the existing yard soon.

I guess my point is to give your ducks as much space as you possibly can. It is healthier for them and the land if you can do this.

 

[nettie]

Depending on the duck breed, I go by 10sq ft per duck for the run, and 4sq ft per duck for the coop. That seems to keep everyone happy. Right now I am waiting to hear back form yet another contractor to build my pen for me. I've had 2 flake out on me and am awaiting the 3rd's answer. Right now they are a bit cramped, 4 ducks in about 40 sq ft and they are not very happy about it. Soon they new pen will be 140 sq ft with 6 ducks... tons of room.

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Thanks so much!