Raising ducklings

[ems253]

Hi there, I'm fairly knew to raising ducklings and I will be getting 2 this weekend. I wanted to know what size I should build my coop for the both of them. I was looking to get a set that is about 2 ft tall maybe 3, about 5 ft long, and about 2 1/2 ft wide. I also live in Washington and it rains majority of the time here and it's cold. Should I have a heat lamp in there for the colder months and take it out around summer time?
Thank you for the help!
Emily

 

[DuckLoverZach]

That size will comfortably house 2 ducks no problem and I would definitely go with the 3' ceilings. Also, do you ever plan on getting more in the future? If your do it would probably be wise to build a bigger coop so there is room for future birds.

 

[ems253]

I might get some more in the future but not any time soon, but thank you for the advice. Also to it's like a 2 story pin with a ramp to walk up to. Is that ok? I know it's a silly question but I haven't built my own coop before.

 

[DuckLoverZach]

I might get some more in the future but not any time soon, but thank you for the advice. Also to it's like a 2 story pin with a ramp to walk up to. Is that ok? I know it's a silly question but I haven't built my own coop before.

Just make sure the ramp is wide enough because they are much clumsier than chickens

 

[chickens really]

My pen I just bought and will fix up.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Hi there, I'm fairly knew to raising ducklings and I will be getting 2 this weekend. I wanted to know what size I should build my coop for the both of them. I was looking to get a set that is about 2 ft tall maybe 3, about 5 ft long, and about 2 1/2 ft wide. I also live in Washington and it rains majority of the time here and it's cold. Should I have a heat lamp in there for the colder months and take it out around summer time?
Thank you for the help!
Emily

Hi - I don't think you need to worry too much about providing supplemental heat in the winter (assuming you're in Western WA). Your ducklings will be fully feathered by the time winter arrives, and they should be fine with plenty of dry bedding and protection from drafts. Heat lamps pose a fire risk, so I would exercise caution in using one in the coop. Here are some resources you may find helpful about cold weather care for ducks: BYC thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/634866/how-do-ducks-fair-in-the-winter, http://fresheggsdaily.com/2013/12/cold-weather-tips-for-winter-duck-care.html.

Your ducklings should be happy as clams with the soggy conditions there, and should help keep the slug population in check!

 

[ems253]

Ok thank you for the advice! I was thinking the same thing too, but I wasn't too sure cause it does get pretty cold here sometimes.

 

[ems253]

Hi again,
So I let my ducklings take a swim for a short period of time. (They're pekin crested ducks) And I noticed one of my ducks (sugar) had almost a bald spot on the top of her head where her little hat is. I'm not too sure if it's just from the water clustering the hair together or from my other duck (honey) due to her pecking a lot. She will bite a lot at her feet and sometimes at her feathers. I also noticed that both of them seem to pecking at the wings cause it's really red and I see some hair loss. I know from the passed that they can pull their feathers off due to stress, but i never noticed them being stressed out and bothered by each other. Do you guys have any input as to why they might be pulling they're feathers off? Or why Sugar has a "bald spot" on her head when it's wet.

Here is a picture of her feathers dried off and it looks like she never had a "bald spot".
I hope I'm just over reacting and it's nothing to major lol.

Thanks for the help!