Advice on inside duck house

[tabby15]

Would appreciate advice on fitting out inside of a shed for my ducks. The shed is large and photo shows right hand side area to be converted for them. the four ducks will have a space about 5ft x 10ft with access through the wall under the centre windows and the nesting area at the far wall. Second photo shows outside work in progress. The secure outside area will be a fenced run approx 18ftx 15ft.
Key questions:
should we raise their nesting area up, thinking of trying deep bedding method so will presumably need some height above that
Should we put a roof on the nesting area so they are kept warmer
Should I cover the windows or some of them?
Insulation. We are in southern England so get snow once or twice a year.
Any other suggestions?

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Keen on using recycled materials hence the coloured deck which was old trestle tables!

 

[Going Quackers]

My ducks don't even have nesting boxes, i haven't found there massively necessary, some do them just sharing what mine have. As for windows, do any open? ventilation is important, i have 3 windows in my main duck barn, there open most of the year with hardware cloth but i never cover them like with drapes or blinds. I let the natural light in or moon light lol

Have you checked out the duck section of the forum? loads of pics there of barns, coops and alternative housing options.

Since my main flock are Muscovy, and they roost i have a self in the barn for them. After that it's basically an open building with 3 mini stalls to house excess stock. The main coop is elevated set on old industrial skids, then built with plywood and sided with old barn boards, we used antique windows(wooden) to create ours and as i said backed with hardware cloth, the door is solid wood an old one, a cheap find from a junk dealer.

My floor has rubber stall(horse) mats down and then i bed with shavings.

 

[Bleenie]

My favorite nest boxes for my ducks were the enclosed boxes. My ducks(and chickens) LOVE them and when they go broody they always have better hatch rates in them because they insulate and hold heat better. Mine always just sat on the floor or stacked 2 high so they could still get in them. I've converted rain barrels into nesting 'boxes' for my ducks in the past too, they liked them also.

Enclosed box nests. I found that 1.5ft long x 1ft x 1ft was the best dimensions for my ducks, they fit perfectly. Also, hinged tops make it easier to check on things & collect eggs. That top box was about 2ft long and just too big!

Rain Barrel nests

 

[tabby15]

Thank you. Love the rain barrel nests. We have a water butt that is leaking so I can see a new lease of life for it. Did wonder if they would do better if warmer in winter.

 

[tabby15]

My ducks don't even have nesting boxes, i haven't found there massively necessary, some do them just sharing what mine have. As for windows, do any open? ventilation is important, i have 3 windows in my main duck barn, there open most of the year with hardware cloth but i never cover them like with drapes or blinds. I let the natural light in or moon light lol

Have you checked out the duck section of the forum? loads of pics there of barns, coops and alternative housing options.

Since my main flock are Muscovy, and they roost i have a self in the barn for them. After that it's basically an open building with 3 mini stalls to house excess stock. The main coop is elevated set on old industrial skids, then built with plywood and sided with old barn boards, we used antique windows(wooden) to create ours and as i said backed with hardware cloth, the door is solid wood an old one, a cheap find from a junk dealer.

My floor has rubber stall(horse) mats down and then i bed with shavings.

 

[tabby15]

Dont know what happened there! Was going to say that I thought hardware cloth must be a type of fabric but thanks to google I know better! Divided by a common language.thanks for the advice