The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: DippyEgg on April 02, 2024, 08:42:44 pm
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So on my other thread Richmond affirmed that my idea that getting a couple of runner ducks is a good one.
Does anyone have any creative ideas of how to make a duck house? It would be in a secure 3x3m run which would be closed at night
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Are you saying they would be in a 3 x 3 m run all the time? Or will you let them out to roam further? Runners are pretty active and 3 x 3 m is not very big. Regarding housing - unlike chickens who sit on a roost in pretty much the same place all night, ducks do shuffle around a bit but a small shed (or large dog kennel) will be sufficient for two or three ducks. I notice you are planning for two - is that two females or a male and female? The male would need two females minimum - they are quite randy!
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Sorry, I shouldn't have said "a couple". I'd like five or six. They'd only be in the 3x3 at night. They'd have an acre in the daytime.
It's this kind of run https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C6GJ8W92/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams.
I thought I could keep their house, paddling pool and feed in there.
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Sorry, I shouldn't have said "a couple". I'd like five or six ducklings to start with. They'd only be in the 3x3 at night. They'd have an acre in the daytime.
It's this kind of run https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C6GJ8W92/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams.
I thought I could keep their house, paddling pool and feed in there.
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That will be fine for overnight. I have heard that the chicken wire mesh that comes with these types of run is fairly flimsy so you may need to reinforce it.
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Yes you are right! We kept rabbits in before so it' s got 1x1 cm thick wire dug into the ground and coming up the sides about 50 cm. Thanks
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I have one if those runs, it's true the wire mesh is pretty cheap and useless. That being said, you can buy better mesh reasonably priced if the one you get isn't great. As for housing, I modified a cycle store for my ducks. I'll see if I have any pics, if not I'll take a photo next time I'm out with the birds
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That would be great, thanks Kiran!
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Ours had a small dog kennel type arrangement for many years. Just a flat floor, since they don't perch. Also put in far more ventilation than you think you need!
Make the pop hole at or only slightly above the outside ground level, and make it bigger and wider than for hens because they all tend to rush in and out as a group.
We upgraded our duck housing a few years ago, to "the brick duck house", which is built like, well, a brick duck house! Concrete floor, lifty uppy lid, and one wall made from a wood panel that lifts off to allow cleaning.