Need help with ducks housing

[alyssa1122]

Hello. We live in Grand Rapids, MI. We have a very small amount of birds but love them lots. We have three chickens who do amazing. But we’ve had many duck issues. Our first duck Gertie was out in her new coop for two days before she was killed by a dog. So we waited until the next spring and got two new ducklings. Polly and Penny. We noticed something was wrong with Polly so we took her to the vet. They said she was fine but two days later she died. Unlike Gertie who loved our chickens Penny didn’t. Now that she was alone we decided to get her a friend, Pearl. So we’ve had Penny and Pearl for a year now. The coop they are in is the same one we had for Gertie so it’s meant for one duck. We need to get them a better coop with a run but need recommendations. We live in MI so there are lots of wildlife that would love a duck for a snack. Being so we need a covered coop and run. They are let out of their coop but are supervised during that time. Now that it’s summer I’m starting to think they aren’t happy. We have a small backyard and really should have thought about this more before getting them. I just researched how much room they need and 4sq feet per duck is what I found. Their coop is only 4sq feet. We feel like duck owner failures and don’t know what to do. We would be willing to add to their coop but we don’t have a lot of room at all. I have been going back and fourth between getting rid of them. But I just want them to be happy and together, since they have bonded. PLEASE ANY ADVICE HELPS

 

[wbookmyer]

Have you looked into a chicken tractor. We started our original flock in one and since the sleeping compartment is above it opens up that space for ducking during the day.

 

[alyssa1122]

Have you looked into a chicken tractor. We started our original flock in one and since the sleeping compartment is above it opens up that space for ducking during the day.

We haven’t looked into that. Did you guys build yours?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Do you have any extra room in the backyard to either add on or get something different? My ducks are housed in a playhouse. You would need something double the size you have now for housing plus 20 sq ft of outdoor space. Then, with your chickens, the 3 of them should have 30 sq ft of run space. Do they all use the same run space?
My set up is cattle panel covered in welded wire with an electric wire running the perimeter. We are using aviary netting for hawks and such. So far it is working. They all get shut up at night - the ducks in the playhouse and the chickens in their coop.

 

[alyssa1122]

Do you have any extra room in the backyard to either add on or get something different? My ducks are housed in a playhouse. You would need something double the size you have now for housing plus 20 sq ft of outdoor space. Then, with your chickens, the 3 of them should have 30 sq ft of run space. Do they all use the same run space?
My set up is cattle panel covered in welded wire with an electric wire running the perimeter. We are using aviary netting for hawks and such. So far it is working. They all get shut up at night - the ducks in the playhouse and the chickens in their coop.

They do have the same run space but we have to watch them because they absolutely HATE each other. We don’t have a ton of room in our back yard, but it’s all theirs. We have three dogs and they all use the front yard.

We are going to start building this next weekend thank you so much!! I think we’ll add on too both the duck and chicken coop with this design. Thanks again!!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

They do have the same run space but we have to watch them because they absolutely HATE each other. We don’t have a ton of room in our back yard, but it’s all theirs. We have three dogs and they all use the front yard because they’d think their snacks.

We are going to start building this next weekend thank you so much!! I think we’ll add on too both the duck and chicken coop with this design. Thanks again!!

My ducks and chickens do not get along either.
Here is a pic where you can see that I keep them separated by fencing.

 

[alyssa1122]

My ducks and chcikens do not get along either.
Here is a pic where you can see that I keep them separated by fencing.
View attachment 1407488

Our 1st duck Gertie we got with the chickens while they were all babies and they were best friends. But the chickens weren’t happy about the new ducklings the next spring after Gertie died.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

My chickens are going on 2 and 3 yrs old. My ducks are 11 weeks. But, they are kind of mean to each other. I have let the chickens come over to the duck side, but not for long. Maybe if I gave them more time, they would be better?But honestly, they can grab each other or peck through the fencing, so I don't think it will get better. They have been set up like this for a month now.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

The housing that I have is great for two ducks. I went to TSC where I got something called pet gazebo and put a doghouse in it. Love it!! Definetly worth trying!

 

[Ducksandchickens]

Our 1st duck Gertie we got with the chickens while they were all babies and they were best friends. But the chickens weren’t happy about the new ducklings the next spring after Gertie died.