New outside pen

[Nabiki]

I appreciate you looking out. Where they are located there shouldn't be an issue with raccoons and my cat doesn't care about the birds. My dogs keep stray cats away. If I find it to be an issue I'll definitely add 1/2 x 1/2. The cage is 3 foot wide and deep and the other side is completely covered in wood. I'm more worried about a rat getting in than coons or cats. But I've never lost a bird to any of those things so far.

Rats can take out a quail, especially if it's asleep or just not feeling well.

 

[raywri]

Rats can take out a quail, especially if it's asleep or just not feeling well.

Yeah that's why I said I'm more worried about rats than coons or cats. But I've yet to even see a rat near this area so I'm hoping the other animals keep them at bay. If not I'll add 1/2x1/2. All my cages have 1x2 on the sides for air flow and the watering and food system's i use. But I will definitely figure something else out if I even lose a single bird to a predator.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I saw a pen on facebook from "made new homestead" I need more pens so I decided I will put my community pen outside. The breeders get a nice insulated poultry building. I just finished new call duck pens for my wife so now time for a little me project. The actual pen size will be 6x3x14". It will have 3x3 outside on 1/2 x 1/2 wire and 3x3 inside with a removable solid floor for easy cleaning and a sandbox.
I plan to keep 12 to 18 quail in it maximum. It will also have a shelf on top and a tin covered metal roof. Overall the size is 7 foot in front sloping to 6 foot in the back. The pens are 44 inches off the ground. Framing entirely with 2x4s
Here's the start. Last picture is the call ducks watching me from their new apartments.

Those are really nice pens, mine are in the big 8X8 pens that you see the chicks in during the chick sales at TSC. I have 7 of them combined with housing for my 26 ducks. They get very muddy even though I replace the sand quite often and have wood shavings in the housing. Does the wire bottoms hurt any of your ducks feet? I have often wondered about that.

 

[raywri]

Those are really nice pens, mine are in the big 8X8 pens that you see the chicks in during the chick sales at TSC. I have 7 of them combined with housing for my 26 ducks. They get very muddy even though I replace the sand quite often and have wood shavings in the housing. Does the wire bottoms hurt any of your ducks feet? I have often wondered about that.

They stand on it more than they are inside the solid bottom hutch. I don't see any sores on their little feet. I don't know if i would leave them on it in winter here in nebraska

 

[Luv Ducks]

They stand on it more than they are inside the solid bottom hutch. I don't see any sores on their little feet. I don't know if i would leave them on it in winter here in nebraska

Thanks, I have heard that if they are not heavy ducks they can be on wire bottoms somewhat so they will probably be just fine. I have 13 small ones and 13 big ones.

 

[raywri]

Thanks, I have heard that if they are not heavy ducks they can be on wire bottoms somewhat so they will probably be just fine. I have 13 small ones and 13 big ones

She only keeps the call ducks in pens for breeding. The big ducks roam around the land.

 

[Luv Ducks]

She only keeps the call ducks in pens for breeding. The big ducks roam around the land.

Lucky you guys that you have land where they are safe. We have raccoons and hawks so mine don't have that option.

 

[raywri]

Lucky you guys that you have land where they are safe. We have raccoons and hawks so mine don't have that option.

Oh we have those. The chickens are in covered runs. I'm not sure if the ducks are just too big for a hawk. Raccoons don't usually venture into the area where the animals are. I'm not sure if it's the dogs that keep them back. I have a spot way out by the trees where I dump old eggs as a kinda "here eat these and leave my animals alone" rent payment.

 

[PatientType]

Nice, practical layout. They should be low-maintenance and meet your needs nicely.

 

[Luv Ducks]

Oh we have those. The chickens are in covered runs. I'm not sure if the ducks are just too big for a hawk. Raccoons don't usually venture into the area where the animals are. I'm not sure if it's the dogs that keep them back. I have a spot way out by the trees where I dump old eggs as a kinda "here eat these and leave my animals alone" rent payment.

I used to have some pens that were unsecure and used Nite Guard lites as protection from the raccoons. They worked well for over three years so I trusted them, then one night a coon got my beautiful Wood Duck and my Khaki Campbell. That was when I declared war on them and spent quite a bit of money on these large pens for them that have covered roofs made of strong fencing along with the sides. So far they have all been safe since I have bought more ducks and invested quite a bit in them. I am glad that yours stay safe.