Many questions

[ali.khimm01]

What’s a good way to manage my ducks smell , they’re still ducklings and they’re pooping a lot and it smells would baking soda at the Honda if the coop help ? Right now they’re just in a bin with bedding light food and water. Also when I do transfer them into the big actual coop outside what about bugs such as flies and ants will they be attracted to the poop or food ? And will the ducks quack loud ? I don’t want my neighbors to file a complaint . This image is the big coop I’m buying

 

[sylviethecochin]

1. I found your coop. It says in the description: "not suitable for large rabbits, large chickens." I think that includes ducks. I would not keep ducks in a run with a ramp that steep. Assuming a duck needs four feed of floor space, you've got room for 1.5 ducks in there--it's 48x20 inches. Conclusion: do not buy that coop. It's cute, but it's designed for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbits.

2. Ducks are noisy.

3. Yes, you can use baking soda to manage the smell. Be careful about it and make sure they aren't eating it. Also, keep the pen clean. A rubber bin is good--hose it out at least twice a week, dry it, and replace the bedding.

4. There's a very effective setup that I doubt you're using: keep the food and water on wire and separated. That keeps your pen much cleaner.

5. How old are your ducklings, what are your outside temperatures, and what temperatures are you keeping them at? We need to know before we tell you when to put them outside.

6. Ducks love bugs. I doubt you'll have much of a fly problem if you keep them clean. I've never noticed ants being particularly attracted to duck poop. As for feed, there are a lot of tricks for keeping it contained so that it doesn't attract things (and I'd be more worried about rats than ants) Don't let it touch the ground. Minimise waste by using high rubber pans for feed and dampening the feed before you feed it. Feed pellets, not crumbles. Don't free-feed, limit their intake so that they're more careful about not tossing it everywhere.

 

[PirateGirl]

What kind of ducks do you have? This might make a difference in the housing requirements, for example Pekins are HUGE compared to Calls and need bigger everything, Muscovy roost whereas Mallards sleep on the ground. Also how many ducks? There are lots of knowledgeable people who can help with your setup. If you already ordered that coop it may just need some basic modifications, there are lots of creative people here as well. A pre-fab coop can be a great starting point for construction.

 

[sylviethecochin]

You could probably fit three or four medium-sized ducks comfortably in this one, for $100 more.
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/grd/d/93ft-deluxe-large-chicken/6494191607.html

And good point about duck breed, Pirategirl.

 

[sylviethecochin]

What kind of ducks do you have? This might make a difference in the housing requirements, for example Pekins are HUGE compared to Calls and need bigger everything, Muscovy roost whereas Mallards sleep on the ground. Also how many ducks? There are lots of knowledgeable people who can help with your setup. If you already ordered that coop it may just need some basic modifications, there are lots of creative people here as well. A pre-fab coop can be a great starting point for construction.

Unless she has two call ducks, I don't think she can make that coop work. Half of the interior floor space has to be taken up by the opening onto the ramp.

 

[ali.khimm01]

1. I found your coop. It says in the description: "not suitable for large rabbits, large chickens." I think that includes ducks. I would not keep ducks in a run with a ramp that steep. Assuming a duck needs four feed of floor space, you've got room for 1.5 ducks in there--it's 48x20 inches. Conclusion: do not buy that coop. It's cute, but it's designed for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbits.

2. Ducks are noisy.

3. Yes, you can use baking soda to manage the smell. Be careful about it and make sure they aren't eating it. Also, keep the pen clean. A rubber bin is good--hose it out at least twice a week, dry it, and replace the bedding.

4. There's a very effective setup that I doubt you're using: keep the food and water on wire and separated. That keeps your pen much cleaner.

5. How old are your ducklings, what are your outside temperatures, and what temperatures are you keeping them at? We need to know before we tell you when to put them outside.

6. Ducks love bugs. I doubt you'll have much of a fly problem if you keep them clean. I've never noticed ants being particularly attracted to duck poop. As for feed, there are a lot of tricks for keeping it contained so that it doesn't attract things (and I'd be more worried about rats than ants) Don't let it touch the ground. Minimise waste by using high rubber pans for feed and dampening the feed before you feed it. Feed pellets, not crumbles. Don't free-feed, limit their intake so that they're more careful about not tossing it everywhere.

I love in California so temperature is good but right now it’s too cold so I’m waiting it out the temperature is at 90 they’re one week old they’re not going outside yet and I have two ducks so that coop is a no ? If you know any websites with decent prices please link them. I’m worried about flies attracted to the poop and ants attracted to the food.

 

[ali.khimm01]

Unless she has two call ducks, I don't think she can make that coop work. Half of the interior floor space has to be taken up by the opening onto the ramp.

I’m not sure the breed of my duck..

 

[ali.khimm01]

You could probably fit three or four medium-sized ducks comfortably in this one, for $100 more.
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/grd/d/93ft-deluxe-large-chicken/6494191607.html

And good point about duck breed, Pirategirl.

I’d love that coop , but I only had two ducks and my mom thinks that’s too large especially because my yard has many plants and a pool..

 

[sylviethecochin]

I’d love that coop , but I only had two ducks and my mom thinks that’s too large especially because my yard has many plants and a pool..

I'm sorry, but ducks need at least three square feet each to themselves in the coop--and more is better. The interior of the box (not box and run, the box) should be six square feet. Again, that's a minimum. The little coop you have linked is four square feet of floor space maximum, and as I already said, it's not built with ducks in mind at all.

Ducks should also either be free-range or each have ten square feet of space in a run.

So you need a 3' by 2' coop (interior, not exterior) and a 4' by 5' run. That shouldn't take up to much space.

I've never bought a coop. With fifty chickens and thirty ducks (currently) we converted an old shed into a coop. So I don't know much about sites. I'll see if I can find anything, though.

 

[ali.khimm01]

I'm sorry, but ducks need at least three square feet each to themselves in the coop--and more is better. The interior of the box (not box and run, the box) should be six square feet. Again, that's a minimum. The little coop you have linked is four square feet of floor space maximum, and as I already said, it's not built with ducks in mind at all.

Ducks should also either be free-range or each have ten square feet of space in a run.

So you need a 3' by 2' coop (interior, not exterior) and a 4' by 5' run. That shouldn't take up to much space.

I've never bought a coop. With fifty chickens and thirty ducks (currently) we converted an old shed into a coop. So I don't know much about sites. I'll see if I can find anything, though.

Okay I’ll look for a bigger one , would something similar to this but wider
Work?