Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[ChrisEllis]

Can anybody post some pictures of their duck coops/houses, and any tips they have on building them or whats best - i need one big enough for 4-6 ducks - what sort of sizing is that.

 

Thanks Chris

[Guest]

Hi Chris

 

I dont have any pics but a medium size dog kennel would be ideal..with ventilation. Ducks just need a flat floor to sleep on (hemcore/shavings or straw is ideal..they will just mess the lot..they are not fussy I used some lino to line my duck house) if you look on Forsham they have some wooden duck houses which are similar to kennels). They will lay their eggs on the floor too(mine use to bury them in the hemcore in a neat hollow)

 

I would also keep it off the ground ie on bricks etc to stop rodents. Just keep it ie several inches off the ground a very low ramp(solid) for them to walk down.

 

Probably 3 foot square would be enough..its the floor space for sleeping more important

 

I think if you have a look at some of the postings on here ie Lesley(moderator) who recently posted some pics of duck set up

 

Good luck indie

[Chucky1]

Hi Chris

 

I read your post a couple of days ago but shied away from replying as we are very new to ducks (5 weeks), ourselves.

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=54619

 

But all I did was build a box with 12mm WBP ply and a 2x2 frame. A weldmesh floor, with straw on top. Indie's advice pretty much sums it all up. We mounted it on two upturned coping stones. Cut the ply to form a slope to the back and covered that with some corrugated that I had used on a barn. Hinged the front door at the bottom so that it forms a ramp and than drilled ventilation holes all the way round.

 

Great woodwork it is not but it is better than I managed at school those eons ago - sometimes wish I'd paid more attention

 

 

If it stops raining I'll try and take some pix. Oh yes and as Indie said it seems a matter of minutes before the ducks cover everything in duck poo - but they always seem so gloriously happy so it can't be that bad.

[Lesley]

I'm not a Moderator anymore Indie - I retired a few weeks ago

 

I can't find my photos at the moment but we have a 4' x 3' coop which is raised off the ground and has a solid ramp for the ducks to use as Indie and Chucky have said. Ours don't seem to poop inside their house.

[ChrisEllis]

you have posh ducks then lol, thanks for the help - i might buy a dog kennel sort of thing? and just mount it on bricks and do a bit of woodwork - openable hatch roof etc. wrk some magic