Predator proofing Duck house and Pen!

[Lover duck duck]

You won't need the welded wire at the top. My set up is cattle panels with welded wire around the outside so that my ducks and chickens cannot slip through. It is about 4' tall. Then, it is covered by aviary netting. Mine is by no means fort knox, but it is doing the job. My birds are then locked up at night.
You mentioned an electric wire, so all of that should be sufficient at keeping predators at bay.
Even with the most fortified set up, I have read there can be issues. Once your ducks get settled in and you are all done, relax and enjoy them.
I am relatively new to all of this as well. The best thing that I have learned is to relax and enjoy your birds while giving them the best possible life. It's really the most you can do.

Thank you so much. I can’t wait to see them out there enjoying their new home and pool area. Thanks again you have helped me a lot.

 

[llombardo]

I originally ordered the 1/4 and found it was not as strong as the 1/2 inch. So back it went at a pretty good penny. My mistake.

I used a heavy duty net for the top. I used regular bird netting to seperate ducks and chickens. Noticeable difference and I would not use the regular netting for the top with raccoons.


Here is my duck house. The top area has hardware cloth and I added vents to the inside because after testing it and looking at it I felt a raccoon could push the wire and get in.

 

[Lover duck duck]

I originally ordered the 1/4 and found it was not as strong as the 1/2 inch. So back it went at a pretty good penny. My mistake.

I used a heavy duty net for the top. I used regular bird netting to seperate ducks and chickens. Noticeable difference and I would not use the regular netting for the top with raccoons.


Here is my duck house. The top area has hardware cloth and I added vents to the inside because after testing it and looking at it I felt a raccoon could push the wire and get in.

View attachment 1502515

Nice. I feel that using the 1/4” along with the welded wire is strong because the welded wire is actually even stronger than the 1/2” other than the bigger holes but that’s why I used the hw cloth first, just my guess. and also 1/4” for me is better because not even snakes can get through and we have little pigmy rattlesnakes and black indigo snakes here. I like the idea with vents but do the vents prevent the rain from getting inside? Sorry for the dumb question but don’t know which type of vents you used. Can you send a picture of the vent? Love your duck house.

 

[llombardo]

Nice. I feel that using the 1/4” along with the welded wire is strong because the welded wire is actually even stronger than the 1/2” other than the bigger holes but that’s why I used the hw cloth first, just my guess. and also 1/4” for me is better because not even snakes can get through and we have little pigmy rattlesnakes and black indigo snakes here. I like the idea with vents but do the vents prevent the rain from getting inside? Sorry for the dumb question but don’t know which type of vents you used. Can you send a picture of the vent? Love your duck house.

I just got the bigger ones at Menards. I will take a picture later today. The house stays pretty dry, even when it rains and the door is open. The flax bedding absorbs it.

 

[llombardo]

I have some of that welded wire. I might add a layer on the outside.

 

[Lover duck duck]

I just got the bigger ones at Menards. I will take a picture later today. The house stays pretty dry, even when it rains and the door is open. The flax bedding absorbs it.

Okay thanks.

 

[True Patriot]

You have a very nice setup going. As soon as you mentioned hurricane those gables needed to be closed.the windows will provide adequate ventilation. Open gables will let the roof act like a kite in high winds and remove the roof. I've ventilation becomes an issue adding another window is a better option. If you add your general location to your profile it will help us to see where you are and know your general weather and local predators. In general avian netting is sufficient to keep flying predators out. Electric fence about 2" 8" and 36" heights around the pen will discourage most ground based predators. Digging and climbing.

 

[Lover duck duck]

I have some of that welded wire. I might add a layer on the outside.

I have some of that welded wire. I might add a layer on the outsid

Okay thanks.

Oh and I bought (2) rolls of 100’ welded wire to double fence the pen with welded wire and hw cloth. I learned that from the majestic waterfowl sanctuary website.

You have a very nice setup going. As soon as you mentioned hurricane those gables needed to be closed.the windows will provide adequate ventilation. Open gables will let the roof act like a kite in high winds and remove the roof. I've ventilation becomes an issue adding another window is a better option. If you add your general location to your profile it will help us to see where you are and know your general weather and local predators. In general avian netting is sufficient to keep flying predators out. Electric fence about 2" 8" and 36" heights around the pen will discourage most ground based predators. Digging and climbing.

Very true that was one of my fears among others. I will be closing the gables, I built 5 windows high up so as to make it hard for raccoons to climb without hitting the electric tape. They are 5’ high there is just one that’s lower so the little kids from family can look in whenever they come over. Do you think those 5 windows are enough? I just saw a YouTube video how some people made small awnings above each window. They looked nice. But one of my concerns is when it storms bad like a tropical storm or what not comes through I have to close all the windows, so how do I keep it ventilated? I am in Orlando about 40 minutes from cocoa beach Florida in an equestrian community.