simple house

[Jmanvanatta]

i may be getting my ducklings soon and was hoping there was a duck house that i could build fast and it be inexspensive. maybe even buy one. needs to be big enuf for 2 pekin 2 cambell

 

[jdywntr]

A lot depends on how much room they are going to have for a run and if they will be confined for extended periods.

3' high minimum. About 4 sq ft of floor space per duck but if they are going to be inside for long periods, heavy rains, freezing or extremely high temps, 8 sq ft per duck. You don't have where you live so that will depend on the materials you use. If you are in a temperate climate, you need an open air coop with a wind break, if you live in the north you need an enclosed coop with adequate ventilation.

So 4 ducks, I would build a 32 sq ft coop so, 6' X 6' will give you space for nests, feed and water. This will probably not be enough room if you have more than 1 drake. Outside they need 10-25 sq ft per bird, the bigger the better and easier to clean.

The coop needs to be secure yet provide adequate ventilation. Many people use dog houses (though 6x6 is kinda big for that). What you use to build with will depend on the predators in your area. Safest would be 2 X 4's and hardware cloth.

If you have chickens, something similar to their coop but you don't need roosts.

 

[Jmanvanatta]

i live in ohio and they would be free range!

 

[jdywntr]

I would still make it larger so that they have room to stay in during the winter. You could go with 4'X4' but it would be a bit tight unless you built a nestbox on the exterior. Ducks require very basic housing, 4 walls and a roof with some windows/eaves for ventilation.

 

[Jmanvanatta]

during winter i was going to take them in with the chickens becuase the pond frezzes over