Operation Duck coop

[Wobbles]

We got our ducklings with the intention of putting them in an old coop that was on our property when we bought our house. We knew it needed repairs but figured for this year just a few minor things fixed and it would be fine for now. Well, we buy the supplies to repair it because it is that time now that the ducklings are getting to be a bit much in the house. Then we get to really inspecting it and decide it just won't work, not for our spoiled little babies!

So, we decide to rip it down and build something new for them. No big deal, only a couple extra days work and a chunk of extra money (that we don't really have to spare at the moment but when it comes to our pets we spare no expense). Well, the coop took two days to take down. Not bad but it wouldn't of taken a full day if it hadn't been infested with hornets.

Once we got ripping we realized how terrible the coop was and I was so happy we decided to start fresh for them. The walls were all full of squirrels nests and so was the ceiling. MIce had homes built under the floor. There was a bat living in the window and bees in all of the nest boxes. All you could smell once the first roof board came off was rodent urine. Gross.

Here is the old coop and I will update this as we build the new one I'm excited but a little impatient. We will have to build after work and take Thursday off off building totally for a family thing. So it looks like I have at least another week with a house full of ducklings...not that I would mind that if I had more space for them as they are growing.












That is one of my gardens next to and behind the coop. In the fall, winter and early spring they will have garden access so it will be like a big extension to their run. They will also free range but we have a creek running through our yard and I am a little concerned they may like it too much and not come back at night. Something I will need to work on. Keeping them penned up all the time isn't an option for me. I want them to have the free space.


The run will be next too the coop on the opposite side as the garden and it goes back a ways. Bigger area than it looks but not as big as I would like (that is why they will free range and have garden access most of the year as well.




Old coop gone! Again the pace is bigger than it seems in the photo.

I am very worried about predators. We are surrounded by woods with a pond way behind us, a creek running through our yard and a lake across the road. We have tons of barred owls and a few great horned as well. Coons, fox, coyotes, a wolf or two and a couple of cougars. Lots of Hawks and eagles as well because of all of the water. And I am one of those moms that hovers a bit lol.

 

[GiantPekin4]

Just make sure they're shut in at night, and that there aren't any holes big enough for a possum or raccoon. Something kept snatching my ducks until we put chicken wire over the roof. We call our duck pen the duck palace good luck!

 

[Amykins]

Wait - your name is WOBBLES?!?

 

[Wobbles]

Wait - your name is WOBBLES?!?

Haha! Yes One of my Muscovy babies is named Wobbles. I have a bit of a soft spot for him/her. But, I do believe that I fell in love with the name a year ago while lurking here and researching ducks. I was reading your stories about your Wobbles. When I finally got my ducks the name Wobbles kept popping in my mind and it wasn't until I finally joined that I remembered why So, your Wobbles was my inspiration although I didn't realize it right away!

 

[Amiga]

Little Fort Knox - that's what we built. According to Storey's Guide, any gap larger than half an inch can let in a predator - or its paws.

Our Day Pen - where the ducks are when I cannot be with them in the yard - has fence across the top as well as sides, and the bottom is nice chopped straw, manure, mulchy compost over coated chain link.

Due to extreme temperatures we converted part of the walkout, unfinished basement to duck pen for night time. At first we had an outdoor shelter, with metal hardware cloth - half inch - covering all openings and their little porch. And I ran two strands of electric fence wire around the house and porch.

Heard raccoons yelping on two occasions from the hot wire.

 

[Wobbles]

Thanks for the tips!! I don't work outside of the house so during the day I can be very watchful. In the warm months I am outside most of the day doing my garden work and all that fun stuff so I won't be far from them most of the time. We are going to make sure the night coop is very secure. No way to dig in or open doors. I'm going to padlock doors shut plus their normal latches.

We do have extreme temperatures in the winter here in Wisconsin so the coop will be insulated and we have electric run to it already so if need be we can heat it. It hits -50 (I think it was -55 once last winter even) F here at times so we have to make sure we can keep the coop warm enough. I don't think I will even let them come out of the coop on those days. The snow is just so cold for anybodies feet when the air temp is that low. I only let my poor dogs out twice a day when it is that cold because their feet freeze and they always loose their boots.

 

[Amiga]

A few of my Runners are just not winter hardy. Rather than lose them, or risk a fire trying to run electric to the shelter, I realized I had the space in the basement, and it doesn't get below 40F or above 75F and we don't have heat or AC down there - it's just insulated by the Earth.

Ducks can and do get frostbite. That's why we sized the night pen to be a bit over 100 square feet - there is some wiggle room - because there are days the Runners only go out for short walks. And one below-freezing day last winter - it may have been 12F - the Runners refused to go outside. They just stood in the doorway, looking at the snow and ice.

I toss used bedding out on top of the snow in places so they can get off of it while they have their outside time in the winter. And with Runners, the 2 gallon stew pot that holds their water (in a watering station - I strongly recommend a watering station) becomes a mini bathtub. In the morning, I give them a fresh pot of water, wait an hour, and give them another. Because the first pot is morning bath water. They have taught me many things

 

[Amykins]

WOOOBBBLES, yay! That scovy is nine kinds of gorgeous. Hehe I love so much that I have a teeny Wobbles, and you have a giant Wobbles! They're like yin yang buddies

And much thanks to you for this thread, and to you as well, Amiga. My hubby and I have been discussing selling our home and upgrading to one with a yard so we can get some buddies for Bean and possibly make Wobbles an indoor/outdoor duck. This info is all going to be invaluable if and when that ever happens!

 

[Wobbles]

Making good progress today. There was so much hand digging involved in setting the posts that the bulding was delayed for a bit. Holes needs to be nearly six feet deep..and there were nine of them.

It is going to be so nice! They decide I need a deck on it to sit and enjoy my ducks

 

[Wobbles]

One more update tonight. The framing for my deck is on. Tomorrow we may not be able to work on it because of other obligations. But it really came along great today!