Let's see your coops!

[keeks&kiwimom]

So Im hoping for something different then we have right now for summer time..so they're safe.

I was hoping to build my own coop (something that is easy) or buying a decent priced one.. for at least 7 to 8 ducks.

So I want to see what you all got!
Let's see some pics!

I found this awesome looking coop on the internet that has step by step instructions plus the plans for it. Hubby is building it as we speak.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Pics please.

 

[Lifewithchicks]

We bought the moveable coop but quickly realized they’d need a big run, so it’s no longer moveable. My husband built the run. The 4 girls have plenty of room. Now will they still be as happy if I add more?? Because I’m dying to!

 

[Miss Lydia]

They may not be at first but they will get use to new additions if you go about integration slowly in other words if you get chicks you brood them till large enough to go outside to meet the older ones being in a safe space so they won't get picked on, That way all get use to one another. If you buy older same thing applies except brooder, They all will become 1 flock as long as they are introduced slowly and given time to get to know one another. There will always be pecking order to be worked out but it will happen.

Great looking coop and run. question is your run covered in netting of some kind.. If not that would be a good idea to cover and secure down so you don't have to worry about flying preds.

 

[3bird]

Here's our coop on the coast of Maine. We built it last summer, and we're pretty pleased with it overall! It houses seven silver Appleyard sucks (5 ducks and 2 drakes). The plastic is on two sides of the run for the winter months and gives the run protection from the prevailing weather. The straw bales are winter-only as well.

Here is the other side. We sited it next to the compost bins and the vegetable garden for obvious reasons. Downhill we planted comfrey, which is a wonder plant when incorporated into a coop design in our opinion.

This is an interior screengrab of the run from one of the duckcams. There is a pretty long ramp and a large area underneath the duckhouse that is incredibly cozy! Their heated water bucket is at the bottom of the ramp. They have no problem doing the single file thing on the ramp and ducking to go through the door.

The run is covered in hardware cloth with a predator apron installed around the entire coop. There is a people door for easy access to the run.

We built a three-door door on the back for access to the duckhouse. When we are collecting eggs, spot cleaning or adding new bedding (or feeding mealworms!), we just open the top two doors. When we are doing the bi-annual clean-out of the deep litter bed, we drop the "tailgate" and drive the FEL right up to the opening. Easy!

We usually leave the door from the run to the duckhouse open at night, and they decide where they want to be, but when it's super cold (like -10 F and colder), we lock them in. We do not provide any supplemental heat in the duckhouse, and they do great. This video was taken before we installed the plastic on two sides of the run. Also, sorry for the "Beyond Chickens" reference. I meant Backyard Chickens, but my podcast, which I'd been working on all day, is called Beyond Data...and I'm getting old! ;-)

Quack!

 

[Lifewithchicks]

They may not be at first but they will get use to new additions if you go about integration slowly in other words if you get chicks you brood them till large enough to go outside to meet the older ones being in a safe space so they won't get picked on, That way all get use to one another. If you buy older same thing applies except brooder, They all will become 1 flock as long as they are introduced slowly and given time to get to know one another. There will always be pecking order to be worked out but it will happen.

Great looking coop and run. question is your run covered in netting of some kind.. If not that would be a good idea to cover and secure down so you don't have to worry about flying preds.

Thank you for your reply! I’ve considered either getting new hatched chicks or 4 week old pullets. Integration would be the same, just less work on my part with the pullets (and less time in my house!).

And yes, the entire top is covered with the same wire. We tried to think of everything. We have hardware cloth buried around the whole perimeter too. Kid proof locks on doors and predator eyes on all four sides. So far, so good.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like a solid plan we wish you the best.