Protection in the city

[CarleeAnn]

Hello! We have two female ducks. Currently they are being transitioned into staying outside, but they don't have protection during the day. At night they sleep in a cinder block house that is predator proof, but during the day when they are free range they can only hide there. We were going to put barbed wire along the top of the fence but unfortunately the homeowner is not to fond of that idea and has requested something else. We live in a city, I guess the only real danger could be stray cats or hawks, but I don't believe the yard is shaped to where a hawk could swoop down, so that leaves just cats. Any idea of what we could do? They are in a corner of the yard behind the shed, so when we have been taking them in their yard we aren't with them, but we are in another part of the backyard and bring them in when we plan to go inside for more than ten or so minutes. Nothing has bothered them yet, but I feel like our presence is a deterrent. I believe the home owner didn't like the idea of barb wire because of the way it would look to the neighbors.

I'll include some pictures so you see what we are working with.
(It's a little ghetto)

 

[Jpg1961]

I would get chicken wire fencing and run it across the top of the fence from one side to the other and if you need to prop it up with 2 by 4's for an 8 ft height

 

[CarleeAnn]

So like a wire roof? Do you think chicken wire is sturdy enough?

 

[chickens really]

That fence is pretty high....Your birds are too big for a Cat...My Cat and the country Cats stay away from my Ducks.....I would make a run for the times they need to be locked in with a wire top...Ravens would be my concern....

 

[chickens really]

Also if your location has Opossum or Raccoons they are being served on a plater....I would build a Duck run....

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

The homeowner.. Landlord? If they do not want barbed wire likely chicken wire cobbled to the top of fence would look just as bad. I am surprised you are allowed ducks in the city did you ask your landlord before getting them?

Good luck

Gary

 

[CarleeAnn]

Also if your location has Opossum or Raccoons they are being served on a plater....I would build a Duck run....

Would they attack the ducks during the day? I lock the ducks in their "coop" with a wire dog door and three cinder blocks keeping them in. I let them out at sunrise and put them to bed by sunset.

 

[CarleeAnn]

That fence is pretty high....Your birds are too big for a Cat...My Cat and the country Cats stay away from my Ducks.....I would make a run for the times they need to be locked in with a wire top...Ravens would be my concern....

We do have Ravens, I haven't heard of them being a predator. I suppose a wire roof would be the best prevention for them? Would you suggests like hardware cloth? Wore mesh? What's stronger than chicken wire?

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Would they attack the ducks during the day? I lock the ducks in their "coop" with a wire dog door and three cinder blocks keeping them in. I let them out at sunrise and put them to bed by sunset.

Piling cinder blocks against the door is iffy at best. Raccoons are determined

Good luck

Gary

 

[CarleeAnn]

The homeowner.. Landlord? If they do not want barbed wire likely chicken wire cobbled to the top of fence would look just as bad. I am surprised you are allowed ducks in the city did you ask your landlord before getting them?

Good luck

Gary

Poultry is allowed as long as they are 25 ft away from other residences. Our landlord is fine with any animals we get except snakes and spiders. Thank you for your concern! If we were to do a roof we would try and do it slightly under the edge so it cannot be seen, but with the barbed wire we would have lined the top.

Thank you!