Pekin & Runner Duck housing/pond/nest box ???

[CamsCluckinChicks]

I finally got it done!! I like it, my husband is thrilled he had to help hardly at all (LOL) & most important, the ducks consider it home!!

East side...

West side...

From the front...

Thanks again for the water/feed in the their Hut advice!! It's made a tremendous difference!! And they don't seem to be any worse off - they're fat & happy!!

 

[ejctm]

It looks fabulous!!

I especially like the way you have painted it too. Super brilliant

 

[CamsCluckinChicks]

Quote:
Thank you!! I'm really proud of it. I wouldn't recommend building it the way I did, which was basically throw 4 hardwood skids on the ground & build up from there. Ha ha! The skids were HEAVY - only about 2'W x 5'L each, but the bottoms are 4x6" hardwood and the runners on top are 2" thick. On the 1st day of my Duck Hut construction I secured the skids together using metal brackets. On top of the base I put 1/2" exterior grade plywood, then textured FRP board for the ducks' actual floor. It's waterproof so I can hose it.

The 2nd day I built the frame out of 2x4's & started adding the exterior siding - which is actual barn siding, sealed with Thompson's Water Sealer. I sealed the whole sheets, both sides the day before using them so I knew they were completely dry/soaked in. I used the same 1/2" exterior grade plywood to cover the roof as I used for the sub flooring. My husband & 16-yr old son rolled the asphalt roofing on for me. It was just too heavy, plus I'm petrified of the roofing nailer. I have sensory perception issues due to nerve damage (MS) and everytime that thing goes off, it feels as if I'm being electrocuted! I love using the brad nailer, though. Ha ha! I made the front door & put the hardware on. I also started adding the trim work...most of which I recycled from our chicken coop construction. Then, because it was getting late & I was exhausted (LOL), I secured 2 antique window screens to the sides. It was still pretty warm out at night, so the extra air flow definitely didn't hurt them any.

On the 3rd day I made the ends, including doors & finished the trim. It was time consuming because after I got the roof trim painted, I decided to cut each piece, paint it, let it dry, then put it on. I cut all of one side's trim, painted it...then cut the next side, painted it, etc. By the time I got to the last cut the 1st ones were dry enough I could brad nail them in place. I had to go back over a few spots, but nothing major. The night I put the sides on, the ducks absolutely did not want to go in! They don't like 'change' very much. It didn't take long, just a couple nights, and they accepted it. A lot like humans.

So...anyway, that's how not to build a Duck Hut!! LOL! I'm happy with the finished product even though the construction process was overwhelming at times (LOL) & the ducks go in it every night at sundown on their own. In the end, it was all worth it!!

 

[MamaBerghuis13]

Hi everyone! I have three 43-day old Pekin's...wow, do they grow fast!! One drake & 2 'hens'. Sorry, can you tell I was 1st a chicken person? LOL! Anyway, this next spring I'm planning to add 2 or 3 Runner female ducklings to join my small herd. So. Here are my issues/questions...tee hee...

1). My Pekin's have been living at night in my chicken coop...in a separate area underneath my raised Silkie Crib. They currently have about 5' x 6' of floor space with FRP board as the flooring, layers of hay & a grate their feed & water sit on. OK. So we all know how extremely messy ducks are. This is seriously a pain to keep clean. I'm building them their own structure today. About 4'x8' and 3 or 4' tall. My plan is to use skids, covered with plywood & FRP board for the floor. The walls will be 2x4 construction with exterior wood siding...and a roof probably made from either metal or fiberglass roofing panels. I want to hinge the top for easy catching of the ducks when necessary. I also want to hinge an entire wall for easy clean-up...ie: Hose it out!! And, of course, their ducky door. Do I need to be concerned about nest boxes for Pekin's and/or Runner's?? I have found all kinds of info regarding Wood, Muscovy, Mandarin's, etc. If I make them a side of their house with 'cubbies' in it, will they use them to lay their eggs? We are keeping ducks for eggs & amusement only...not food.

2.). I am putting in a 1,000 gallon pond for them...approximately 6'x10', 2' deep. I'm purchasing an industrial skimmer, waterfall bio-filter & pump that is for up to 3,000 GPH. A fish & duck friendly 'natural' water soluble anti-algaecide. No plants. Will this help prevent me from needing to change water as often?? Right now I'm using several storage totes - I have to dump them & refill at least once per day. Their favorite one, a small clear one that was originally meant for under the bed storage (LOL), I have to change as much as 5 times a day!! They take turns, literally, getting in & out of this little tote. Of course, these are just totes filled with water. Anyone have any experience with a system like I'm going to be using? Please tell me this will drastically cut down on my changing of the water!! LOL!

3). I've read a lot about using sand around their housing and pond to help with drainage of their messy poo. Basically you're supposed to be able to hose it down & the ick returns to the earth...correct? What about pea gravel or something along those lines? Is sand the best way to go??

4). I was planning to use natural mulch for my raised garden beds...the ducks will have access to this area. Should I reconsider the mulch? If so, what would be recommended? Obviously, I'll be using poopy straw & hay from the chickens & ducks also. But, I mean for around the beds. The ground. LOL! I take care of my 'bird & garden' yard - mostly because I don't want my family to be burdened with my little farmetting hobby. However, it would be very nice if I didn't need to worry about mowing between beds!! I can't afford that much sand...it's a very large area. The duck yard is about half an acre all-together. It is separated from our German Shorthaired Pointer's by field fencing with electric fencing run both along the top and about 1' above ground level. The dogs have completely lost interest in my ducks & chickens. LOL! The chickens have their own runs inside this larger yard. Between our garage/house & the chicken yards is where the duck house & pond will be. Behind my coop is where the garden & small fruit orchard is located. So far the ducks haven't even ventured back there yet, prefering to stay closer to the chickens for some reason. They will, however, undoubtedly make their way around to the back, which I want to help with insect control. What do I cover the ground with that is economical, but will help control the weeds & grass from growing while still being duck-friendly? What about construction gravel/grit with weed block underneath?

5). Currently, the ducks are using those large, round, rubber bowls for water in the coop. I want something less messy in their duck house. Keep in mind, they will have free access to plenty of water during daylight...this is only for at night when they're locked up. I'm considering purchasing a heated plastic poultry waterer with a deep base...and probably putting it on patio bricks to raise it so they aren't trying to splash around in it. Will this work well for them? I want to make sure there is no chance of their water freezing at night...but obviously have to take into consideration their propensity for extreme muck. Will a plug-in be safe as long as I'm sure it's secured so no water gets to the plug? Also, is it better to hang the waterer or put it on something for ducks? I don't know whether I want to use a galvanized waterer with an overturned bucket (or cinder blocks with the holes) & light bulb underneath...or the plug-in variety?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Can you tell me more about your electric fencing??? I also have German shorthaired pointers and they wiped out my entire flock a couple months ago. We have 17 chicks and 4 ducklings now so I’m re thinking everything about my coop/run and garden and trying to figure out a way to keep the dogs away. I’m glad I’m not the only one with GSPs and chickens.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I don’t give feed or water in the night pen
This saves big messes
The birds are just fine
I also have kids pools with drains and my bigger ponds I use cake grass around them
I use a pond pump to drain and a shop vac to get the rest