AdamD Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Hi all, I have two adult runners in a wooden poultry house and have recently got 4 more ducklings. They are now around 6 weeks old (we've had them for just over two weeks) and still living in a cardboard box as the place where we get all of our duck supplies hasn't had any poultry houses in stock for over a week now! We really need to get them something more permanent as it is so cramped in the box and after phoning up to see if the houses had been delivered, which they haven't, I'm looking for alternatives to the same type as we have for the adults. I know that call ducks and some larger ducks can use Eglus okay, however I don't know if they are suitable for Runners as they are so tall. The eventual aim might eventually be to mix the two adult boys with the four young girls when they're old enough so I'm looking at the Cube (obviously it would need some tweaking to make it lower and more suitable for ducks to get into) but like I said the main worry I have is if it would be big enough for 4, or even 6 in the future, Indian Runners? I know that people say ducks generally sleep outside in the run anyway but my adults do go into their house at night (as far as I'm aware from when I used to check on them before bed). I appreciate the advice as it's very urgent that we get a house for them soon (we leave them to roam in the conservatory during the day and they're squished in box at night!). Also, how has everyone found the speed of delivery of their Eglu, as like I said it's pretty urgent so if I can get some good replies today I could even order one tonight and hope it gets here very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 The cube will hold 10 hybrid sized hens, so should be fine for 6 ducks, its quite tall too so should be ok on that front. and you can order them to come without wheels so it sits straight on the floor. I'd take the roosting bars out or cover them over too. I use a Go for my 2 Aylesburys and they fit in there fine, again with the roosting bars removed Was at the Omlet stand over the weekend and we were told there is a 3-4 week wait on the cube at the moment, but they have Go's in stock. Best thing would be to go through as if you were going to buy a cube and see when the quickest delivery date is - and hope there are no problems with delivery You could have a look at the for sale section on here to collect quickly - a rabbit hutch (wooden or indoor plastic type) would be better than a cardboard box, just while you're waiting for delivery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamD Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 Hi, thanks for the reply! Yeah I managed to find the dinemsions for it and think they would just about be able to stand up okay in the house. Is it possible to just remove the wheels from one which has them? What's do you think the Go would be like for Runners? Probably too small for 4 right? Oh no! That's not good I can't see any delivery dates...? It says I am within the delivery area but I can't see any dates. Had a look for one in the Marketplace section, there's a pink one for sale about an hour away from me but I like the orange one The main issue is expense, I'd have to buy something temporary since we don't have anything else to use really Plus the fact that I'm doing my A-Level exams tomorrow and Friday doesn't help matters Maybe within the next couple of days the place where we were going to get the house will have them in stock and we'll just get them that one. Then maybe later on we can upgrade to a cube without worrying about delivery dates and rushed finances Maybe I should just try and find a bigger box for them to stay in for a couple of days until my exams are done and then hopefully we can get it sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 To take the wheels off a cube with them is just 4 screws, so thats fine if you wanted to do that Go is probably too small for 4 runners, yep. To find delivery dates just go through, click Buy as if you're going to order one and the calendar should come up that way. I know how you feel - doing a-levels aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Honestly I wouldn't use a Cube or Eglu for Indian Runners as they shouldn't be cramped at night. They need something more like a shed or large, tall coop with good ventilation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky123 Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I have 7 Indian runners living in a large rabbit hutch, its one of those taller hutches, it works fine and my runners are more than happy with it, room for a few more ducks as well, I bubble wrap the 2 wired doors in winter. It cost me a lot less than a bigger ark, not as pretty though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamD Posted June 24, 2010 Author Share Posted June 24, 2010 Hmm, thanks for the help everyone I think I'll wait for the houses to come in at my normal place and just hope they arrive very soon (will try and find something temporary but bigger for the ducks until then), then after that I'll do some more research, then at least I'll be less rushed and can make a good choice instead of just buying something I'm not sure about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamD Posted June 25, 2010 Author Share Posted June 25, 2010 An update for anyone who's interested, we managed to finally get the house today! Had to go to the farm anyway for straw and luckily the houses had been delivered earlier on in the day so we were able to get one Very happy, the duckies are no longer all squashed in a cardboard box, in fact they looked a little bewildered by the amount of space, didn't know what to do with themselves! We got this house: http://www.stockshop.co.uk/Products/001e000c/07854. Hope it's okay for them when they're older, but still considering getting something in the future for all 6 ducks to share, maybe with an Eglu Cube run which would save us having to make one ourselves As long as this house can cope with all of the mess they'll make (there's no metal tray on the floor of the house which we have on the adult ducks' one which is useful for stopping the wood underneath from getting all horrible and rotten and mouldy due to all the water spillage), we might even get another of the same type for the boys or get one if we want to split the 6 into two trios Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted June 26, 2010 Share Posted June 26, 2010 Thats fine just do what i do i put down a really thick layer of saw dust then a layer of straw when i clean them out every week i just roll the straw up and the shavings are still like new so i give them a good mix up and spread them out and then put new straw down i think in this weather the shavings stay good for about 3 weeks as no poo or anything gets through to them also my ducks never have food or water in the houses no matter what age they are leanne. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
