Old spring house for duck Coop base?

[Momofthewild]

I have this old spring house in my yard, it's the perfect location to keep my ducks, gets good sunshine and my house blocks it from the wind pretty good. The roof is metal as you can see and is slightly sloped. My husband's idea is to build the coop that they sleep in on top of that and have a ramp down to the ground for their protected grassy section where we'll keep food and water. Opinions? Would that work? Also, will that grassy ground section quickly get bare and muddy? We are planning to set up the water to where they can only dip their heads in and not swim in it, for less mess.

 

[Isaac 0]

Ducks don't do very well with ramps, so I'd advise against building the coop on top, thats quite the height they will need to climb up. Anywhere that has feed/water will quickly turn into a mess, there are a few ways to help stop it, but it will always exist to a level.

Ducks need to be able to bathe their whole body in water for at least half of the year, Birds that aren't allowed to fully submerge their body often end up with wet feather, external parasites, sticky eye along with many more. I know many people say they only need to dunk their heads not their whole body, just like we could probably get away without taking a shower, but how would we feel/look.

If you have anymore questions fill free to ask!

 

[Momofthewild]

Ducks don't do very well with ramps, so I'd advise against building the coop on top, thats quite the height they will need to climb up. Anywhere that has feed/water will quickly turn into a mess, there are a few ways to help stop it, but it will always exist to a level.

Ducks need to be able to bathe their whole body in water for at least half of the year, Birds that aren't allowed to fully submerge their body often end up with wet feather, external parasites, sticky eye along with many more. I know many people say they only need to dunk their heads not their whole body, just like we could probably get away without taking a shower, but how would we feel/look.

If you have anymore questions fill free to ask!

I plan to let them out several times a week or more ( everyday if we stay quarantined into summer) and have a kiddie pool to let them splash in and just dump it out after I put them back in their coop. Will that be enough you think to keep them healthy?

 

[Isaac 0]

I would think it would be, their appearance will tell you if it isn't.