Raised Duck Pen w/ Plastic Pond and PVC Drain (Photos)

[Scott]

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It is actually 4x8. It fit on my trailer perfectly.

Same here. I built it under the carport, then loaded it up in the truck and drove it down to the chicken house area. That thing was heavy.

 

[Scott]

I think I'm going to replace the pvc pipe with a metal pipe on my next pen. That way, I wont have to worry about frozen water expanding and busting the pvc in winter. Also, a heat cable or coiled could be wrapped around the metal pipe to keep it (and maybe even the pond) from freezing in winter.

 

[tonini3059]

Its funny, I am in the process of building an almost identical setup, great minds do think alike. I will have to post pics of it when I get done. I just keep thinking of things to add to make it easier and it just keeps taking longer and longer to get it done. Great job on the pen though, I wish I would have seen it a bit earlier though, it would have saved me alot of thinking and figuring.

 

[Scott]

Thanks. Definately post pics when you get your pen done.

 

[Chosen Chickens]

Scott,

I am sure there is a better place to ask this, but after seeing your duck pen I needed to ask. I am looking to get mandarin ducks thise year and I am in the process of building the coop for them and this has given me great ideas. My questions is this

1. What does the inside of your pen look like? Do the ducks need anything in there other then just a floor with shavings on it?

2. Where did you get the mandarin ducks, and do you know where I could get some without having to wait till the fall? I am hoping to get some this spring, but I live in utah and most wont ship baby ducks.

3. Where did you get the tub that you have in yours?

4. How many ducks can you hold in that thing?

Thanks for the help.... those mandarin ducks look awesome!

 

[Scott]

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[WadeMD]

You can get tubs of varying sizes/depths at many tractor/farm supply places too. Look for "stock tanks" - rubbermaid makes some black ones that are perfect for little ponds. I am building one into my setup (should finish in March) that includes a bulkhead (the proper way to penetrate a tub so it doesn't leak over time) and drain directly into my garden as well. I picked up a 50 gallon as its the same footprint as a 100g, but shallower.

I've not seen reports of nitrogen burn, so will have to keep an eye on that aspect.

 

[Chosen Chickens]

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Thanks Scott!

Yea I did a seach online and found some places, and then there are those ones that are on eggbig.com If they dont list them as "breeding" pair does that mean they will never breed with each other or they just aren't old enough to breed? I would want to make sure that the ones I got would have potential to breed

Also, I am going to try and find where I can get the eggs or small ducklings instead of the full grown already as that would be a ton of fun.

 

[Scott]

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I think it means the pair is already bonded, but I dont know for sure. Youd have to ask the seller. In the wild, they pair up for several seasons... even for life. If you get a pair this time of year, they should bond/pair up before the breeding season. I know my drakes seem to be doing a lot of courting/displaying right now. So I think they are trying to impress their hens/pair up.

I would get adults or started juvenile birds. I would not recommend mandarin eggs. Youre not likely to find them anyway, but even if you did... they will be expensive and are very difficult to hatch artificially. I've never heard of anyone having much success with hatching mandarin eggs in an incubator.

 

[tonini3059]

Look around for the tubs at hardware stores. I got a 11 gal one at tractor supply for $12, but then I found it at a do it best hardware store for $7 so I ordered 12 and had them shipped to the store which was free. They measure 26" x 20" x 6" so they are the perfect size for a breeding pen for calls. Just look around and try and find what you need then try and find the best price.