Need duck coop ideas-

[evergrowing]

I am getting 10 (straight run) -day old Welsh Harlequin ducks in April. I want to have a coop for them before they get here. There are some great chicken coop ideas on BYC, but can a duck use a chicken coop if it's big enough? Will they go up a ramp? Do they need their nesting boxes to be on the ground? What works for you?
Thank you!

Edit- I will be brooding them in the house with a heat lamp, ect... I just want to be prepared for when they get big. I hear they grow fast! I'm so excited

 

[nissa_loves_cats]

I have a pen which is an old chain-link dog run, 12x12 and six feet high. Inside it I have an old calf hutch for shelter. I keep my Ancona ducks there, and have a similar pen for my chickens, only I put up some roosts inside the calf hutch. Of course I can't put in any very young birds because they'd get out through the chain-link, I keep them in a brooder until they are bigger.

 

[chickensioux]

"The Quack House". This one holds 6 calls and 2 mandarins.

 

[evergrowing]

Thanks for the info. I love chickensioux's picture. It looks like most people's ducks nest on the ground or near it. Will ducks climb up a ramp into a duck house off the ground? And should I insulte the walls? This is all new to me

 

[chickensioux]

I didn't insulate mine. We have pretty cold winters too. I think as long as they are out of the weather and the wind and there is ventilation, it should be fine.

 

[sianara]

I built an insulated house for my big ducks and they did use it. Now they just sleep in the run with a very rustic section that's been boarded off as a wind break. Spent the entire New England winter out there with no problems at all - and they're 7 years old.

Last year I built an un-insulated house for my new bantam Australian Spotted pair with a raised run with area for a small "pool". They spent this entire winter sleeping on the wire floor/wood supported section of the run. The only time they went into the house was to eat and my duck just started laying her (first) eggs inside of it last week. YAY! Finally got my first Aussie eggs! They are a very light green in color. LOVE THEM!!!