An update on bent beak and others housing.

[henry]

Hi Zo,
as you can see i put the spade in to give some gauge to size from the side, the second shows the entrance the door lies on top of the pallet to help the ducks out. I put it on the pallet to keep it dryerand make it a lot more difficult for rodents. The green garden bin is as high as the wire cageand about 3ft wide, it has a hole cut in one end and tie strapped on to the cage, I have the cages on the patio stones to stop anything digging under to get in. The rabbit hutch has got sturdy wire on the front not chicken wire for safety with lots of bolts and catches. When they are all out to roam i never leave them alone as we also have 4 cats, although the cats steer clear of them. I will get some straw tomorrow for them.
How soon do Ducks reach maturity, the welsh harlequin we have is also 12 weeks old but looks lovely, the pattern on his back is amazing.
Pete

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Thanks for that! I can see it all much better now

I think you are right that they need something bigger, especially if you are putting them to bed at 5, they will be in this space without food or water for over 14 hours, which is quite a long time!

Your ducks are considered adults now, but they wont start laying for a while longer, maybe up to 8 months it really depends on what stock they have come from.

be cautious of keeping ducks on concrete as it plays havoc with their foot pads and legs and you may have problems later. Can you stand the wire enclosures of grass while you are out? Also it will keep them a lot more interested

Hay is fine for chickens, just not ducks

Also just a note, don't ever be tempted to give them food in their night quarters unless you give them water as well, they need to wash down their food and can be at danger from choking if it is not available or has been tipped over.

Some of the B&Q sheds are quite good value and can be converted into duck houses.

This A Frame, especially in the summer is not really well ventilated enough, ducks require a nice large wire covered window for ventilation.

See here for some duck houses, maybe you could use their ideas to build one of your own?

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Duck_and_Goose_Houses.html

Zo
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[dorsetduckowner]

ooo I also meant to ask, are the wire runs covered all the time? Ducks dont really need a fully covered run, just a small area that is wind and rain proof, wind is more of an issue that rain, especially in the winter. x

 

[henry]

Hi Zo,
i do put food and water in with the ducks in none tip bowls. the wire pens do have a tarpaulin and butyl pond liner rubber to give them cover.i will move the wire enclosure today.
Pete

 

[dorsetduckowner]

Do you find they eat much at night? I used to put food in with my lot, but they didn't eat much and it just attracted rats in the end, so took it out and just left them with water.

 

[henry]

Hi Zo,
isn't it funny how fate works for you or against you. After our message earlier i went out to drop my daughter off at a fair, when i drove home i saw someone putting a load of tongue and groove planks in a skip, i thought they would really come in handy to make a much bigger and better home for them all. When i got home one of my neighbours asked if i would like 2 large rabbit hutches as his rabbits had died of old age. He said they might come in handy for the ducks or chickens.
I have decided to join 2 of the rabbit hutches face to face and cut a hole in the third. and join them all together so it will be nearl 6 foot long and 3 ft high & 4ft wide, one of the lids hinges up, and with a access hatch in the back i can clean them all out, it will be shapede like a /\/ shape. The wire enclosures can then be on the soil joined to gether to make a 14ft long by 4f wide enclosure, and there will be the paddling pool in the enclosure.

I have just been watching the ducks drinking, and decided to put a sink bowl in with them full of water, as soon as i did the Harlequin got in the bowl, she could just float in it with no room to spare. I never have my camera when these shots happen.
Pete

 

[dorsetduckowner]

I love it when they get in waterbowls that are too small for them! It is so funny!!!

Great news on the additional housing!
zo
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