Wood Duck Housing and Care

[Lemon88]

I am really interested in keeping a pair of wood ducks. I'm not sure about how I should house them though. What are the general dimensions for an aviary to house two ducks? I have seen a lot of different size aviaries and measurements.

Also, I found someone selling wood ducklings for $25 a pair. It seems very cheap and they didn't mention having a permit or anything.

 

[Tannerpauldean]

Welcome, @Lemon88!

Are you looking to house them in an aviary 24/7, or do you plan on letting them out in a run/yard during the day and lock them up at night?

 

[Jpat]

Ide snap my 2 front teeth off for wood ducks!

Mind asking if your in atlantic canada?

 

[Lemon88]

Ide snap my 2 front teeth off for wood ducks!

Mind asking if your in atlantic canada?

Sadly, no. It's too bad they are so hard to find!

 

[Lemon88]

Welcome, @Lemon88!

Are you looking to house them in an aviary 24/7, or do you plan on letting them out in a run/yard during the day and lock them up at night?

To my understanding they can't really free range because they will likely fly away. I think they will be in the aviary 24/7.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I don't know about wood ducks... @007Sean ? Welcome to BYC! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!

 

[Lemon88]

I don't know about wood ducks... @007Sean ? Welcome to BYC! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!

Thank you!

 

[007Sean]

I don't know about wood ducks... @007Sean ? Welcome to BYC! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!

I really don't know that much about wood ducks. I had a fenced off and netting covered part of a lake that I kept mine in, (50 yrds x 300 yrds) they were wild ducks. I had a hollowed out tree that they used for a nest. It's been 37 yrs ago.
I had a Federal permit to keep migratory birds.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Thank you!

your welcome!

 

[Tannerpauldean]

To my understanding they can't really free range because they will likely fly away. I think they will be in the aviary 24/7.

That makes sense. I was doing some more research and it looks like many states require them to be contained 24/7, as well as having a permit. It is state-by-state, so you will need to look into the specifics based on where you live (if you even live in the US). Some states do not require permits.

For housing needs, 2 wood ducks should be happy in a dog kennel-sized enclosure, roughly 8x8. They would need to have a pool of some sort, as well as nesting boxes (many domestic ducks do not require nesting boxes, but it looks like wood ducks do).

I wish you the best of luck with your new adventure. Once you get the ducks be sure to post pictures!