I have no idea what I am doing

[WVduckchick]

We did the apron out of the 1x2 fencing wire, and even plain chicken wire. It's mainly just to keep them from digging, so unless you have small critters that will dig in one spot, the bigger stuff works fine. Anything very small like mice, are going to get through anyway. But foxes, etc, won't keep digging when they can't find the edge of the apron. See they dig close to the bottom of the fence, then aren't smart enough to dig outward. Some of mine is covered, some is right on top the ground, with just a few boards/logs laying on it. Grass will grow up between the spaces if nothing tramples it down.

 

[shawluvsbirds]

We did the apron out of the 1x2 fencing wire, and even plain chicken wire. It's mainly just to keep them from digging, so unless you have small critters that will dig in one spot, the bigger stuff works fine. Anything very small like mice, are going to get through anyway. But foxes, etc, won't keep digging when they can't find the edge of the apron. See they dig close to the bottom of the fence, then aren't smart enough to dig outward. Some of mine is covered, some is right on top the ground, with just a few boards/logs laying on it. Grass will grow up between the spaces if nothing tramples it down.

I'm sure mice will still be able to get in. . but my hubby the contractor thinks he is making this thing "bullet proof" so I'm not gonna argue lol lol

 

[Ravynscroft]

I'm so affraid that's not enough but that is what everyone is doing and it would save me about 150/200 dollars by not doing the entire bottom of the run in hardware cloth

I advise against doing hardware cloth across the bottom, if you were going to do that, might as well just make her a raised wire bottomed enclosure... wire is *very* rough on their feet, for all birds, but especially ducks... their feet just aren't meant to be on that type of ground...

I agree that the outside apron will be fine. Notice that you don not have to use fine mesh hardware cloth for the apron*, so you can save money by using the type of wire fencing shown in the video.

*Whereas just above ground you need openings small enough that a raccoon can not reach a hand in.

Very good advice here...

We did the apron out of the 1x2 fencing wire, and even plain chicken wire. It's mainly just to keep them from digging, so unless you have small critters that will dig in one spot, the bigger stuff works fine. Anything very small like mice, are going to get through anyway. But foxes, etc, won't keep digging when they can't find the edge of the apron. See they dig close to the bottom of the fence, then aren't smart enough to dig outward. Some of mine is covered, some is right on top the ground, with just a few boards/logs laying on it. Grass will grow up between the spaces if nothing tramples it down.

And here!!!

The apron wire can definitely be something other than hardware cloth, it's a deterrent so anything causing more work than just regular digging will usually give you time to see an issue before they breach it...

Not to mention, I have the feeling that in your area, most potential predators you might have will go for easier access eats like garbage cans that spending tons more energy trying to get to fast food on the web...

Hardware cloth on the walls of the enclosure from the ground to 2' to 3' high should be sufficient... just to prevent a coon from reaching in and pulling her or body parts of her out through if she happens to sleep near the enclosure walls... and ducks are known for sleeping against enclosure walls...

 

[biophiliac]

most potential predators you might have will go for easier access eats like garbage cans that spending tons more energy trying to get to fast food on the web...

Just don't encourage rats, etc by leaving food out over night?

 

[Susan Neff]

It can take up to 38 days for baby to hatch. I would give it about two weeks after mom left. Sometimes they need more rest especially when they are close to hatching. To me it sounds like you should have a baby within the next week.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Just don't encourage rats, etc by leaving food out over night?

Exactly... I never leave food out overnight... if excessively hot, water, but otherwise they are fine overnight without it too...

 

[Ravynscroft]

It can take up to 38 days for baby to hatch. I would give it about two weeks after mom left. Sometimes they need more rest especially when they are close to hatching. To me it sounds like you should have a baby within the next week.

That baby hatched, lol... she's a fully feathered beautiful duck now... btw, 38 days is Muscovy, this mallard took long time to hatch due to low temps is all...

 

[Susan Neff]

I'm glad it worked out good. I have about 11 that are just about to hatch. No idea what breed. I got the eggs for free. The person I got them from didn't know if they were fertile or not so I'm excited and can't wait to see what color's they turn out to be.

 

[glloyd203]

Hey there, I read this thread back when it first started and it totally brought tears to my eyes!!! If you go the route of the apron, just be sure that it is very well secure. I would use stones all around the edges of it to hold it down, even in addition to u-spikes. I say this because when I first got ducks, something managed to get under my apron dig under and well... I'll spare you the sad details. After that I did go ahead and make an entire floor of hardware cloth but it sure was expensive! The apron should work as long as it's very secure

 

[Steven Mazzo]

Hey there, I read this thread back when it first started and it totally brought tears to my eyes!!! If you go the route of the apron, just be sure that it is very well secure. I would use stones all around the edges of it to hold it down, even in addition to u-spikes. I say this because when I first got ducks, something managed to get under my apron dig under and well... I'll spare you the sad details. After that I did go ahead and make an entire floor of hardware cloth but it sure was expensive! The apron should work as long as it's very secure

I was planning on the hardware cloth apron and then 12x12 concrete patio blocks surrounding the entire pen to spare the expense of doing the entire floor