Opinions on my duck habitat setup (idea)?

[JJpuck]

Hi all. I am trying to make sure my duck habitat setup idea is good and safe. Please tell me your opinions on my fencing/protection plan. I am planning on surrounding the perimeter of their habitat (for them to use when they are not free ranging) with 6.5 foot high weld wire fencing. I heard that coyotes can jump up to six feet high, so I did not want to take any chances... I would then place a layer of hardware cloth directly on top the weld wire fencing at the bottom of the fence (so from the ground to the top of the hardware cloth- weld wire layer it measures about a foot), so no predators could reach in and grab my babies. I would then place more hardware cloth under the fence (underground) in the shape of a U because I heard this is the best way to prevent predators from digging their way in to the enclosure. On the top of the habitat, I would place heavy duty deer netting to prevent hawk attacks because there is a large number of hawks in my area.

Is this too much? Will this place the odds of my ducks becoming prey in my favor? Please let me know.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi all. I am trying to make sure my duck habitat setup idea is good and safe. Please tell me your opinions on my fencing/protection plan. I am planning on surrounding the perimeter of their habitat (for them to use when they are not free ranging) with 6.5 foot high weld wire fencing. I heard that coyotes can jump up to six feet high, so I did not want to take any chances... I would then place a layer of hardware cloth directly on top the weld wire fencing at the bottom of the fence (so from the ground to the top of the hardware cloth- weld wire layer it measures about a foot), so no predators could reach in and grab my babies. I would then place more hardware cloth under the fence (underground) in the shape of a U because I heard this is the best way to prevent predators from digging their way in to the enclosure. On the top of the habitat, I would place heavy duty deer netting to prevent hawk attacks because there is a large number of hawks in my area.

Is this too much? Will this place the odds of my ducks becoming prey in my favor? Please let me know.

Sounds like a well thought out plan. you can't go wrong making sure they are protected. When you finish please post pics to give others ideas. Okay this will work for daytime protection, what the plan for night time? secure housing?

 

[JJpuck]

For nighttime I was just thinking to lock up their duck house, since that will be in this fenced in area as well. Is that enough?

 

[Miss Lydia]

For nighttime I was just thinking to lock up their duck house, since that will be in this fenced in area as well. Is that enough?

So there will be a house in this fenced in are? if so then i'd say very good. as long as house is secure. I never under estimated a pred.

 

[JJpuck]

Thanks!

 

[jaimitastic]

It sort of sounds like my setup! We have an 8x8 enclosure. The lowest part is 6' tall and the highest is 7'. The whole thing is surrounded in chicken wire, then the bottom 3' is hardware cloth. There is also chicken wire on the floor part. Then it has a tin roof.

I'm in the suburbs so we don't have much of a predator problem. My dog also sleeps outside so I'm sure that deters anything that might try to get in.

 

[JJpuck]

That DOES sound similar. Can you post a pic? I would like to see it.

 

[Richb353]

Hello,
I found my fenced in pen serves to keep the ducks in, but none of the predators out! I had to learn this the hard way unfortunately. My solution was a duck house (aka "Quack Shack") that secures the flock at night. At 10'x10' it holds all the ducks comfortably. I put landscaping timbers around the bottom edges to deter predators from digging underneath. It has retractable wheels to make it somewhat mobile when it's time to fertilize another 10'x10' section of yard.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Electric fence line always an option too. My neighbor uses a standard open roofed dog kennel for her Muscovy, she simply ran a string of electric around the top and has had zero issues with predators coming in from above.

 

[JJpuck]

That's pretty neat! I love the wheels idea too. Your ducks are soooo cute.