My duck pen

[Knighstar679]

Last night I started construction on my duck pen. Cost was a major factor so I have been collecting wooden pallets from my work for weeks. They are heat treated so they won’t leach toxins into my pen.

I do have a few predators that I have seen so I am going to have to do something for them but covering the pen and house in hardware cloth is not in the budget.

The space is going to be 24x 43 feet. I wanted to make sure my little ducklings were going to have enough space to hunt for bugs and other yummy stuff.


I will get some pictures up soon.

 

[tjo804]

How many ducks?
What breed?

You should look at some of the pallet coops as example for security.

It is ok to have a super safe overnight place and a play space that is safe but maybe not as secure depending on the predators in your area.

I have construction plastic fencing I was going to use to keep Hawks away, but have not seen them.

Can't wait for pics!

 

[Lil Drake40]

Go to habitat for humanity you might find things you can use to cover the top we bought our windows for our coops there 3.00 a piece then covered in hardware cloth the openings.

 

[Knighstar679]

Here is the first corner where it connects with my duck house. I am going to use a netting to stop hawks.

I figured that the pallets would also provide a wind/ snow break in bad weather.

 

[MrsHudson221B]

I like to use cattle or hog panels for rigidity and strength, then use chicken wire over that. I lock the ducks in a solid house at night and free range when I’m home. But, I do occasionally use my run and it has just the panel for a roof. I haven’t had anything but squirrels and snakes enter the run in over a year— I’ve found that a suggestion of a roof is usually enough to discourage hawks.

You can find all sorts of things you can repurpose for poultry housing. When in doubt, try to build more robust than you think you will need— predators are always lurking!

Good luck in your construction!

 

[tjo804]

Looks great!
Will they have access to the white building?

I had to make an emergency Drake apartment (Wally was terrorizing ducklings) I used sides and a top of pallets and wrapped it in chicken wire.

You can also add protection and wind breaks if needed.

 

[Knighstar679]

I like to use cattle or hog panels for rigidity and strength, then use chicken wire over that. I lock the ducks in a solid house at night and free range when I’m home. But, I do occasionally use my run and it has just the panel for a roof. I haven’t had anything but squirrels and snakes enter the run in over a year— I’ve found that a suggestion of a roof is usually enough to discourage hawks.

You can find all sorts of things you can repurpose for poultry housing. When in doubt, try to build more robust than you think you will need— predators are always lurking!

Good luck in your construction!

I am hoping to do a wire fencing on top of this. Then I am planning on running a hot wire around the bottom to help keep predators away. I am hoping between the two things will work out well. Plus I think a shock before reaching the wire might work to keep them out .

 

[Lil Drake40]

Oops I thought you were using the pallets to build your house not the pen. They will make a nice fence

 

[Knighstar679]

Oops I thought you were using the pallets to build your house not the pen. They will make a nice fence

nah the property had a house already there. Figured the ducklings would be happy with a 9.5 x 27 foot house and the 23x 43 foot pen.

I know I will have 11 for now. But I still have several more eggs in the incubator so I am not sure how many ducks I will have in the end and want to make sure it’s got some space.