So I have been doing an metric ton of research on duck living quarters prior to us building one, as we need to be building on here soon I am reaching out for the "Top Tips in building a duck coop" from all of you. I have read everything from vinyl floors to a separate watering area. It will end up being for 2 ducks and 2 geese.
Think about where it is and how you want to clean it and then figure out how the best/easiest way for that to happen and how to build that into the design. For me, a roof that opens (at least half of it) is necessary. Ideally, with their new house, I can open the bottom board to easy hose everything out. Their current house is painted from about 15" down with exterior paint - many coats. Makes cleaning easier.
You might want to think about: the size of the person or persons who will be doing the work, and adjust dimensions accordingly. where used bedding and water will go, and try to make use of gravity and nearby compost piles or gardens. where the water source is. how you are going to keep things going smoothly without electricity. where the fresh bedding is stored. how you will be aware of predators or other trouble (proximity to windows, for example) keeping the ducks warm enough or cool enough avoiding blocking access needed for deliveries, maintenance & repair (oil deliveries, cable technician, etc.) making sure duck areas are cleared of old fence and construction debris (nails, screws, glass shards, string, plastic strips, clips, coins . . . )
My no. 1 tip would be to make it high enough to walk into it. Other tips: - have an easy way of disposing of water that will not turn the surrounding area into a bog. Think about how much water you will supply and consider that you will need to change it every day. Think about where it is going to go. Options include a small tub that you can lift and empty in different spots or a larger tub/pool with a drain outlet that takes the water away from the pen. - keep food about 2 yards from water sources so they don't dribble water into their food. - put a shelf in the house part so you can store food and spare bedding there.
Frame in all the windows and doors you think you may want in the future even if you dont cut the openings out. Then if you decide you need more ventilation, light, cute factor, etc. its easy to put them in. My house has openings for two doors but initially I will only put in one. Study where your heaviest winds come from and site your house to get the most protection. The PNW gets so much rain so make sure your duck house is on a higher rise than the yard and the yard drains away from the house. Invest in a really good roof. Make your floor space the maximum recommended size per duck/goose. If you are building right on the ground and not on a concrete slab, make sure to line the floor with 1/2" hardware cloth to keep rats from burrowing under and stealing the eggs. Make sure all your exterior latches are multi-step to help deter raccoons from letting themselves in for a midnight feast.
Predator and rodent proof and lockable. Big enough to be comfortable for you to work in. Good ventilation. Good lighting (windows, or bulbs). Easy to clean (smooth surfaces, scrub-able, waterproof). Personally the best system in my mind is a safe, well illuminated and ventilated coop with a totally inclosed (covered) run. The run can have the water in it and then there is less mess in the coop. I had one at the last place I lived and it was great. Currently I have a less wonderful set up with 2 coops and one not tall enough for me to stand in. Even if its just a small yard or coop having to crouch when cleaning it is really a pain.
Since we spend more time in cold, ice and snow.. for us being able to stand and walk into their shelter was the #1 priority... also access to hydro since we need light(gets dark before 5PM in winter) and we need A heated water source. The floor in ours is wood with stall mats(rubber) laid down on top of that, good air flow is important too.
