Night time safety question

[mtadkins5]

New duck owner question...My ducks will be in a large run and free range as well through the day but I want to lock them up tight at night. How big is everyone's duck house and how many ducks do you keep in it? Pictures will help too!

 

[TheBirdBabe]

I don't keep mine too locked up. I live in the city though.
But when I lived out in the country with them they were up before dark. In yheir pen they had a hutch (for female to lay eggs) && a very nice pond. (with a liner-underground) They also had a big bush to lay under in the summer.

 

[duckins]

not best pic of lot but its a 10x20 with to little houses in back which they rarely use houses 7 runners 2 blue sweds

 

[DancingBirds]

How many ducks are you talking about and what size breeds are they? Are you space limited? I have 22 ducks and 13 geese that I keep in large covered runs (most are 10X10) with large doghouses they can get into to escape the elements and a kiddie pool for water and play at night and in really bad weather, then they get to graze on 5 acres during the day. If you are limited by your space and since you are only housing them at night a good 2-3 square feet per duck should be more than adequate. Best of luck to you and welcome to the wonderful and entertaining world of duck ownership.

 

[mtadkins5]

How many ducks are you talking about and what size breeds are they? Are you space limited? I have 22 ducks and 13 geese that I keep in large covered runs (most are 10X10) with large doghouses they can get into to escape the elements and a kiddie pool for water and play at night and in really bad weather, then they get to graze on 5 acres during the day. If you are limited by your space and since you are only housing them at night a good 2-3 square feet per duck should be more than adequate. Best of luck to you and welcome to the wonderful and entertaining world of duck ownership.

I am getting 10 SAXONY & 10 ANCONA ducklings.I really want to lock them in a house at night. They have 2 kiddie pools. Not sure what size run needs to be to keep them when I run to town or do whatever away from home. They will be out of the run when I am home. I want to lock them up in a house in their run at night like the chickens. I couldn't be more excited to get them

 

[mtadkins5]

I am getting 10 SAXONY & 10 ANCONA ducklings.I really want to lock them in a house at night. They have 2 kiddie pools. Not sure what size run needs to be to keep them when I run to town or do whatever away from home. They will be out of the run when I am home. I want to lock them up in a house in their run at night like the chickens. I couldn't be more excited to get them

I am thinking an 8*8 coop.

 

[mtadkins5]

What breed of geese do you have? Do they get aalong well with your ducks?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am thinking an 8*8 coop.

well if they are only going to sleep in an 8X8 you may get away with it, but if they were in there for any other length of time I don't think it would work. right now I have 23 chickens in an 8X10 coop and it's kinda crowded, soon I'll be down to 21 which it's still seems crowded but mine are only in at night. but ducks get larger than chickens. The biggest you can go would be best. I will see if I can find sq footage for housing ducks.
Storey's Gudie to raising ducks says 2-6sq ft per duck depending on size and temperament. and outside run should be 2-10 sq ft per bird.

 

[DancingBirds]

8X8 should be okay for at night but if they are going to be in there for any extended amount of time then you should think about larger. while they are young and small they should be fine. I have 22 ducklings that are about 3-4 months old in a 10X12 covered run at night only and are not using our other runs at the moment. With the nice weather we are having my geese aren't housed at night at the moment and have the run of our front yard and all are very happy. We are working on new housing and runs right now to separate the different breeds into breeding groups.When able I will post some pictures.

 

[DancingBirds]

I have 4 Africans that are a year old. I have one Toulouse and 9 Embdens. Lucy my Toulouse and the 4 of the Embdens that I raised from day olds with the ducklings get along great with them. The 4 Embdens that I got when they were about 2 weeks old do well with the ducks but will let them know who's in charge. The 4 Africans I got as yearlings and they tolerate the ducks and other geese even though they were not raised together. All of the geese are very protective of my ducks and even my turkeys, chickens and guineas. I think the fact that my geese were all hand raised with lots of love has much to do with how gentle they are. They even enjoy playing with my 3 (almost 4) year old, although my dominant Embden "Big Momma" always lets him know when he is getting too rambunctious.