Show off your house ducks!

[Tevyes Dad]

Thank you all for the replies! I really appreciate your input. I have learned some interesting things (I thought having maybe one runner and one other breed would be fine) and I am glad that I asked. I still have a little while before I get my ducks and they have predator proof shelters already built. They used to be old outside run/kennel and they have a roof and a cement slab so no one can dig under. Also inside the dog run are 2 outdoor dog kennels that they can be locked into at night. My biggest question I guess is about bumble foot. I know that cement is not good for ducks, and my thought was I would use the deep layer method to help prevent that. I really want to make sure that they dont have hurting feet. So should I be placing something down under all of the bedding (such as a tarp of some kind).

If your heart is set on 1 runner and 1 other, I don't think the duck would be miserable. But to me it does seem like the runners communicate on a different level (certainly faster). Also runners are smaller so for example a White Layer and a Pekin vs a White Layer and 2 runners would probably need about the same as far as feed and area required. Food for thought.

It sounds like you have very good accommodations for them. I think if there is a good layer of bedding it should insulate them from the concrete well enough and a tarp might make it more difficult to clean with a pitchfork or shovel unless the kennels are much smaller than I am picturing. Also I am guessing that the dog kennels have chain link or similar fencing to keep critters out. Raccoons are smarter than ducks and a pair of them can often herd the ducks close enough to the fencing that one of them can grab the duck by the neck and pull them through the fence. If that is the case, you should surround the lower 3' with 1/2" steel hardware cloth or a plywood / steel panel wall (kind of like wainscoting) or anything that is fairly strong that would prevent you from poking your thumb through the lower 3'.

Also if the shelter is completely open to the wind and you live in an area where there are freezing temperatures, you should put a small doghouse/rabbit house/plywood box big enough for them to stretch out in, out of the wind (with 2 ducks I would think 2x2x2' would be adequate. Anything bigger would be fine.) Unless you are in an area of extreme cold (long sustained periods below 0F or multiple days in a row below -20F) they won't "need" supplemental heat because they have a very effective coat and metabolism, but even in more mild temperatures (anything below freezing), a strong wind can whip away their heat in an instant. I personally give my flock a heat lamp that is off to one side of their house that switches on at 10F and back off at 20F. They utilize it occasionally, but not for very long.

 

[ILoveDucks1991]

I am sure what you are picturing is pretty close to what I have. The run is somewhat like an old shed (the sides top and back are all covered and only the front is chain link fence doors) then inside are 2 dog kennels that are insulated for outdoor use. I will definitely make sure to put up some extra netting though so racoons dont get to them. I wondered if that would be an issue. I definitely dont want them getting eaten! I will have them in the house quite a bit two and we have an unfinished basement where I plan to have them hang out at times. Duck diapers are going to be something I purchase as well because I want them to spend the evenings with us inside!

For those of you that have indoor pens, how do you keep them from smelling up the place? What bedding do you use ect. I plan on having them in the unfinished basement at time (if it gets way to cold outside they will be able to be in their pen downstairs).

I just am a person who likes a clean house and a house that smells nice! How do you all manage this?

 

[Tevyes Dad]

I am sure what you are picturing is pretty close to what I have. The run is somewhat like an old shed (the sides top and back are all covered and only the front is chain link fence doors) then inside are 2 dog kennels that are insulated for outdoor use. I will definitely make sure to put up some extra netting though so racoons dont get to them. I wondered if that would be an issue. I definitely dont want them getting eaten! I will have them in the house quite a bit two and we have an unfinished basement where I plan to have them hang out at times. Duck diapers are going to be something I purchase as well because I want them to spend the evenings with us inside!

For those of you that have indoor pens, how do you keep them from smelling up the place? What bedding do you use ect. I plan on having them in the unfinished basement at time (if it gets way to cold outside they will be able to be in their pen downstairs).

I just am a person who likes a clean house and a house that smells nice! How do you all manage this?

HAHAHAHAHA I am such a space case! I was about to give you a link to the house-ducks thread for answers to these questions...

 

[WafflesNTimmy]

Right now our two newest rescues are indoor ducks. This is their temporary setup. Plastic underneath, and under their food and water and treats bowl is a one inch deep plastic tray. Old sheets to protect the outside area from splash. Bedding is thick towels that can be shaken out and laundered. They are not limited to this area all the time. They go for little walks in the hall and walk down the hall into the bathroom for bath time. Eventually they will be introduced and brought into the all-girl flock. Right now, we are enjoying getting to know each other. They have been enjoying lettuce cores for toys, and a bowl of lettuce with a few peas have become a requirement. I am thinking I will try the mini-wiffle-ball-type ball (about and inch and a half diameter - not a choking risk) - but my other ducks have no interest in balls. Einz does like to tug on ropes, though, for fun. Wheat sprouts in water is another diversion they enjoy. My ducks seem to most like edible diversions. Small heads of cabbage, sunchoke tubers, that kind of thing.

Thank you for the inside set up picture! I'd love to see more of those! And I have two Swedish blues

 

[Amiga]

I am sure what you are picturing is pretty close to what I have. The run is somewhat like an old shed (the sides top and back are all covered and only the front is chain link fence doors) then inside are 2 dog kennels that are insulated for outdoor use. I will definitely make sure to put up some extra netting though so racoons dont get to them. I wondered if that would be an issue. I definitely dont want them getting eaten! I will have them in the house quite a bit two and we have an unfinished basement where I plan to have them hang out at times. Duck diapers are going to be something I purchase as well because I want them to spend the evenings with us inside!

For those of you that have indoor pens, how do you keep them from smelling up the place? What bedding do you use ect. I plan on having them in the unfinished basement at time (if it gets way to cold outside they will be able to be in their pen downstairs).

I just am a person who likes a clean house and a house that smells nice! How do you all manage this?

Right now we have two new ducks sharing space in my office room. There is plastic sheeting over the hardwood floor, old sheets hung across 3 sides of the four-sided 4ft by 4ft puppy playpen. On the plastic sheeting are thick towels. They get shaken out (the poo is fabulous fertilizer) where it can benefit the garden, and the towels are washed and dried. I change towels once a day.

Under their water and food area is a 1 inch deep plastic tray. Towel on top. Towel gets changed about once a day, sometimes it can go a day and a half.

No ugly smell.

For the fourteen ducks in the night shelter/winter shelter in the walkout basement - we have flooring over the concrete. It doesn't soak up any liquid. You could lay down some vinyl flooring sheets, no need to do a fancy installation - see if you can get free scraps and duck tape them at the overlaps - that is what I used in the first duck house.

I used 2 x 3 inch boards to make a frame around the duck area. I attached 2x3 studs and then tied plastic poultry fence for "walls."

I put pine shavings in, 3 or 4 inches deep. At least once a day I spot pick the poo (garden gold), toss the bedding with a cultivator, refresh the watering station (keeps the rest of the bedding dry), and we are good to go. I ask people who visit the ducks in this area - what do you smell? What do you think of the smell? Some of the answers are, it smells fresh and earthy and woodsy - I cannot believe you keep animals in here, it smells nice - do they really spend time in here?

Wet stuff drives out air and so it provides a home for microbes that make stink. If someone knows this, and uses this knowledge, they can avoid a lot of stink in their lives.

Some times of the year - our "monsoon" season - I use a bit of Sweet PDZ under the bedding. It prevents the growth of ammonia. I also put a bit of diatomaceous earth at the points where the frame touches the floor to prevent bugs. I have successfully used a bit of dry peat moss (because it is acidic) to prevent ammonia. Spot picking prevents ammonia. Sometimes we can go weeks without a full cleanup.

 

[tracyjg]

She's been outside in her plastic pool. The water has come from the hose outside. But I could have my partner help me tomorrow when he is home to put her in the bathtub to warm water. With both of them. Should I also do apple code vinegar to the outside water. My thought that woke me up these morning was if there's parasites in yard. We had issues a few years ago with it with our dogs. We treated it with remonds animal salt fine grain. But my reading on subject these morning said it would be dangerous to my ducks and chickens on that side.

 

[tracyjg]

We our planning on building them a room inside a building. Frost bite was so bad these last winter. For both ducks and chickens. It will probably take us months to build 4 building units for all of them plus for my rabbits.

 

[Amiga]

A nice base of chopped straw and compost can help - composting actually gives off a little heat - you need to keep it fluffed so that there is air in it, or it will get ugly.

I sometimes put a splash of ACV in their swim water - can't hurt.

 

[pnp4kidz]

My house ducky is completely lame. He can scoot around some but not much. He lives in my bathroom mostly. Any suggestions for a mobility aid?
How often do you change diapers?
Mr Duck is a huge Pekin, he poops a LOT!
He swims ok in the tub, but I can't leave him too long. He can't get in or out by himself.
How long is it kind to let him live like this??

 

[Amiga]

If you can set him up with something like a wheelchair he may be fine.

Lemon the duck has her own site - you may find that information helpful.

I would try adding a tablespoon of brewers yeast to each cup of food for a month.

Brewers yeast is not baking yeast!!!