Building My First Coop and Run for my Cayuga Ducklings! I NEED SOME HELP!

[cmspivey]

Hey there, everyone! So, here's a bit of background...

I've always wanted ducks... For as long as I can remember. After a few failed incubations, I decided I'd just get some ducklings and raise em' rather than hatch my own. We bought three straight run Cayuga ducklings on June 27th! I finally did it and got my dream birds. They were hatched on June 10th, just 4 days after my girlfriend's birthday! Sirius, Koriand'r and Ramona. They've been in the brooder for a few weeks now, and it is to the point now, where I need to build their house and run... Or just their coop. Whatever you wanna call it!

HERE'S WHERE I NEED SOME HELP!

So, I've never had ducks or chickens before... This is my first go at it! That being said, I've never had to build a duck house/run. I understand that with the Cayuga's size, I'm going to want at least 4 sq. ft. per bird. I know I need to have a sizable run for em' too. I just... I really don't know where to start. I'm struggling to find any blueprints or simple guides online for a decent build that won't break the bank. Time is ticking and these babies aren't getting smaller. They're going to be outgrowing the brooder VERY soon and I need to get this figured out this week. I'm looking for plans, tips, advice, even just a materials list that I can piece together.

I'm not the most handy guy out there... More of a literature and birdwatching kinda dude. I've got the help I need through my girlfriend and her father, but I still need to pick up the materials for the build and I have no clue, like I stated before, where to even start. Maybe I'm overthinking, but if anyone can help me, I know they'll be here.

AND YES, I KNOW I SHOULD'VE BEEN MORE PREPARED!

I'm well aware that my preparation skills are lacking, as I should've had this done WAY in advance... But I saw the ducklings for sale, and I jumped the gun! It happens to all of us from time to time.

Beyond not having the coop up, everything else has been conducted as instructed based on my previous research and the tips/advice given to me by a close friend that breeds and raises waterfowl, poultry, and horses.

TLDR

I got excited and bought ducklings before I built their coop. Time is running out and the babies are outgrowing their brooder. I need an effective, yet, affordable plan to get this coop setup, but I have no clue as to where to begin. The most helpful thing for me would be a materials list and a simple to read and understand blueprint, I guess... Any help, tips, advice... Anything will be greatly appreciated.

HERE ARE MY BABIES! THE BIGGEST ONE IS SIRIUS, THE MEDIUM SIZED ONE IS KORI, AND THE SMALL ONE IS RAMONA! <3

 

[ibarbidahl]

Ducks needs are entirely different than chickens. They don't roost, and they won't typically use a nest box. Your main issue is predator protection. The coop itself is essentially a place to put them at night where they are the most secure. A dog house is perfectly fine as long as you can close it so they are safe. I had my first set of ducklings in a child's playhouse.
Look at the coop and runs in the "coop run and design" forum. There are lots in there. Ducks don't need quite as much codling so pretty much anything that you can clean weekly and keeps them safe will do.
Good luck!

 

[21hens-incharge]

So.....just 3 ducks.....that should make it a bit easier.

Maybe something like this but make a big door that opens for cleaning and egg gathering.

https://myoutdoorplans.com/animals/xxl-dog-house-plans/

Edited because lol my link was NOT correct.

 

[Linewife]

So we have 5 ducks & gave them a 14 foot by 7 foot run. We did a very simple coop design & made it 2 ft by 5 ft with the door that we drop down as their “ramp” (the base of the door is 6” off the ground) the larger higher coop is for our chickens & they have a 6 foot run as well as access to space under their coop. The second photo was an in progress shot and the ducks do have a roof on their side of the run as well to help protect them from predators. A few more pics with better shots from this morning. The duck coop we are finishing this weekend cutting out ventilation in the top of the side walls as well as roofing tiles & making the back a hinged drop down for easy clean up

 

[ibarbidahl]

Great set up!