New Home for the Adventure Ducks

[melissamerry]

Your 3 are so wee... their calls right? i want some of those lol they'd probably be equal to 1-2 of my scovie ducks. For my bedding i use a combo of shavings and wood pellet bedding.. honestly, with only 3 if you pick clean daily and then do major cleans outs now & again you won't go through much bedding. Some use sand, i am waffling on the concept.. sounds interesting... i worry about it being cold though.

Funny enough 14 is low for me, i had more last year but trimmed back... i have two buff ducks coming soon too.. i didn't expect a nest this year, that was not "supposed" to happen but i had a determined broody in winter...
I have wood floors so i painted them and threw down rubber stall mats like you use with horses. Depends on the air vent... i do have one on my chicken coops door but it's very small, even has screening, you have to be cautious as predators look for every opportunity to enter the building. Always think in a destructive manner, because that is how predators do.

I know that in some pictures thy look like calls, and in others they look like pekins, but they are actually white mallards. There's some wild mallards that have been stopping by and I'm determined to get a picture of them compared to mine to prove their size.

We were thinking about reinforcing the vents with hardware wire behind it too. I don't think sand will be too cold here, we live on the central coast of California, it's almost as if winter is nonexistent. But I do like yours and Amiga's method.

I'm trying to convince my bf to make the coop larger because my girls have been digging holes and laying eggs in them. I bet if we have a proper backyard they would go full broody. I'm super excited to see what their babies would look like. Someone suggested that the babies wouldn't grow up all white.

 

[Amiga]

A larger-than-necessary coop does many good things.

Gives you room to keep some extra bedding bales or other duck items.

Gives you room to separate ducks if needed.

(and of course, it gives you room for more ducks, but you may not want to mention that)

 

[Going Quackers]

I know that in some pictures thy look like calls, and in others they look like pekins, but they are actually white mallards. There's some wild mallards that have been stopping by and I'm determined to get a picture of them compared to mine to prove their size.

We were thinking about reinforcing the vents with hardware wire behind it too. I don't think sand will be too cold here, we live on the central coast of California, it's almost as if winter is nonexistent. But I do like yours and Amiga's method.

I'm trying to convince my bf to make the coop larger because my girls have been digging holes and laying eggs in them. I bet if we have a proper backyard they would go full broody. I'm super excited to see what their babies would look like. Someone suggested that the babies wouldn't grow up all white.

Oh, so cool! i had no idea, they have a call like look to them either way there awfully cute! Yes, your weather isn't what mine is.. were snowing today lol

Good sizing makes everyone's life easier, always think about cleaning as that is your job and you want it as easy as possible.

 

[Going Quackers]

(and of course, it gives you room for more ducks, but you may not want to mention that)

shhhhh.... we never admit to that.

 

[melissamerry]

This video might give you some reference to their size. They are a tad bit smaller than the wild mallard, but not call size.


I didn't even think to keep some extra bedding or supplies in there. I know he will like that idea. Then I could sneak in some extra ducklings.

We were at the feed store today looking at pre made coops to get some ideas and they had some chicks and ducklings in a brooder. My bf kept pulling me away from them, its so hard not to take them home!!!

 

[Peeko]

1. Our location is very urban. Predators here are dogs, cats, hawks, raccoons, and those sorts of feral things. No wolves or bears. So
I need a design that can't be breached from above, below, or through it. I've noticed most designs are made of wood. Is there a reason why metal
sheets are not used? I've heard about dogs and larger animals tearing through wooden walls.

I would keep in mind that the ducks may have to be in their pen for several hours, so it should be big enough for everyone to be comfy for a while. Our ducks sleep in the outside part of the pen more times than the inside part by choice, especially on rainy nights.

Cities and towns are full of rats and mice. It took some time for me to find all the holes and slits the rodents were making/using to come in and eat all the food. They will come for food left outside in broad daylight as well. Hardware cloth will stop them.

I love this idea for the digging under problem. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/bluegrass-coop
Any objections or advice for better ideas?

We wrapped hardware cloth completely around our pen, all sides, above and below. Buying a roll of it can be cheaper. Then you can sell the extra on craigslist if you can't find other uses for it.

We're still planning the size and shape of coop, but I'm convinced that tall, upright ones are easier to clean because one can stand up
in it. Yes? No?

We made ours so you can access from the top and reach inside. The walls are about 3 feet high. We installed a doggy door so the ducks can go to the outside part of the pen when they want, and we can keep one separated inside by closing the doggy door. The outside part has a gate into the yard that we close at night. They love going up and down the ramp to the door. I don't know why they love ramps, but anywhere I put one, they will go as long as it isn't too steep.

Much advice and help is truly appreciated!

Other outside ideas:
lean-to structures for nap spots. If I put straw inside they instantly recognize that it's for them to use and they do.

If there is a hole in the fence they can get through, they will find it. It's only a matter of time. Our miniatures squeezed under the chain link gate and into the neighbors yard once and then couldn't figure out how to get back in our yard. I came out to see what they were talking about to find them on the other side of the fence! Thank goodness they didn't go far!

Worm hole! "You wanna go worming?" is a question that gets our ducks running. Just dig a shallow hole, put some veggie scraps in it. Cover with straw or grass clippings and wait for the worms to find it. If you have space, multiple worm holes will keep your crew from eating them all.

 

[Peeko]

I forgot slug boards.
Lay a few small boards on the ground in different areas, shady spots under plants is good. And check them the next day. Lots of times slugs, sow bugs, spiders and other delicious (barf) snacks will be underneath them.

 

[Going Quackers]

Aren't they sweet! yeah, that gives me a better idea.. never seen them before.. mind you around is pekin country... that is practically the only duck you see, the odd rouen, runner at this ones guys place but again pekin rule, i was eying up some myself at the feed mill yesterday ... lol i could have fit all of them in my pocket.

so is their a drake in that mix? if so always think of the possibility of breeding, i know when we started out we thought big because Muscovy are we didn't think breeding and i have had quite a few clutches here now...

If their all ducks, well then that doesn't matter so much lol I think for your area good venting, windows would be important, your warm pretty much year round, right?

 

[melissamerry]

We do have a drake. We lucked out with a nice ratio when we bought them. He's a pretty sweet guy too. He's not too rough with mating and doesn't attack people.

We would love to breed these ducks but I'm unsure of how far back they were inbred, if they were. Isn't it a problem after a while?

The weather here has been at a constant 70-80 all week. Even when it rained last week, it was still 70 degrees. Winters may get down to 30-40, but that's usually a fluke.

 

[Going Quackers]

We do have a drake. We lucked out with a nice ratio when we bought them. He's a pretty sweet guy too. He's not too rough with mating and doesn't attack people.

We would love to breed these ducks but I'm unsure of how far back they were inbred, if they were. Isn't it a problem after a while?

The weather here has been at a constant 70-80 all week. Even when it rained last week, it was still 70 degrees. Winters may get down to 30-40, but that's usually a fluke.

So there is the possibility then, that should be considered when building. I cannot help on the inbreeding as i have little knowledge on the breed. Your temps sound pretty stable, but definitely think your venting, perhaps having types you can open/close.. a window? We have several in our duck barn, it's vented along the roof line too but the windows are great for our unstable weather, we can be double digits one day, snowing two days later.