Duck Coops and Tips

[BrahmaBaby]

Hello, I have recently been thinking about getting some ducks. My problem though is where and how do I house them? I do have a barn and I could turn a small space of that into a duck coop, but I’m not sure the specifics of the coop. Would it be a problem to have a wood floor? Or does anyone have any ideas for a separate duck coop I could build and put in my yard? It gets very cold in the winter so I need to keep that in mind as well. Also, if anyone has any tips for duck keeping or recommended breeds that would be great! I’m thinking maybe runner ducks? Can you mix different breeds in the same flock like chickens?

 

[KathiQuacks]

Hello, I have recently been thinking about getting some ducks. My problem though is where and how do I house them? I do have a barn and I could turn a small space of that into a duck coop, but I’m not sure the specifics of the coop. Would it be a problem to have a wood floor? Or does anyone have any ideas for a separate duck coop I could build and put in my yard? It gets very cold in the winter so I need to keep that in mind as well.

My coop has a wood floor. I varnished the floor and lined it with a tarp to protect it from any damage. You’ll want at least 4 sq ft per duck. I also recommend having the coop be tall enough to walk in for easy cleaning. Nesting boxes aren’t needed, but may be nice to have. Ducks are rather hardy and can withstand well below 0°F so long as they have good wind / rain protection.

Also, if anyone has any tips for duck keeping or recommended breeds that would be great! I’m thinking maybe runner ducks? Can you mix different breeds in the same flock like chickens?

I hear Runners are amazing, funny little birds. Lots of eggs, too. I’d also recommend any of the Swedish ducks and Buff Orpingtons ducks

Yes! You can certainly mix different breeds I’d recommend getting ducks in the same or neighboring weight class, though.

- Proper niacin and protein content is a must with ducks. Most duck, waterfowl, and all-flock feeds will cover this.
- They’ll need water deep enough to dunk their heads and should always have water when they’re eating.
- Provide food and water 24 / 7 as ducklings. As adults, they can go without it overnight, and I recommend that they do. Ducks will splash and spill water everywhere, ruining all their coop bedding.
- Finally, if you plan on getting any male ducks, they’ll have to be kept away from your chickens. A male duck mating a chicken even once can seriously injure / kill a chicken.

 

[BrahmaBaby]

My coop has a wood floor. I varnished the floor and lined it with a tarp to protect it from any damage. You’ll want at least 4 sq ft per duck. I also recommend having the coop be tall enough to walk in for easy cleaning. Nesting boxes aren’t needed, but may be nice to have. Ducks are rather hardy and can withstand well below 0°F so long as they have good wind / rain protection.


I hear Runners are amazing, funny little birds. Lots of eggs, too. I’d also recommend any of the Swedish ducks and Buff Orpingtons ducks

Yes! You can certainly mix different breeds I’d recommend getting ducks in the same or neighboring weight class, though.

- Proper niacin and protein content is a must with ducks. Most duck, waterfowl, and all-flock feeds will cover this.
- They’ll need water deep enough to dunk their heads and should always have water when they’re eating.
- Provide food and water 24 / 7 as ducklings. As adults, they can go without it overnight, and I recommend that they do. Ducks will splash and spill water everywhere, ruining all their coop bedding.
- Finally, if you plan on getting any male ducks, they’ll have to be kept away from your chickens. A male duck mating a chicken even once can seriously injure / kill a chicken.

Thanks!!

My coop has a wood floor. I varnished the floor and lined it with a tarp to protect it from any damage. You’ll want at least 4 sq ft per duck. I also recommend having the coop be tall enough to walk in for easy cleaning. Nesting boxes aren’t needed, but may be nice to have. Ducks are rather hardy and can withstand well below 0°F so long as they have good wind / rain protection.


I hear Runners are amazing, funny little birds. Lots of eggs, too. I’d also recommend any of the Swedish ducks and Buff Orpingtons ducks

Yes! You can certainly mix different breeds I’d recommend getting ducks in the same or neighboring weight class, though.

- Proper niacin and protein content is a must with ducks. Most duck, waterfowl, and all-flock feeds will cover this.
- They’ll need water deep enough to dunk their heads and should always have water when they’re eating.
- Provide food and water 24 / 7 as ducklings. As adults, they can go without it overnight, and I recommend that they do. Ducks will splash and spill water everywhere, ruining all their coop bedding.
- Finally, if you plan on getting any male ducks, they’ll have to be kept away from your chickens. A male duck mating a chicken even once can seriously injure / kill a chicken.

Does the run need to have something over the top during winter? Or do I need to cover the sides during the winter? My plan was to just leave the wire fence that’s there just like I do with my chicken run.

 

[KathiQuacks]

Thanks!!

Does the run need to have something over the top during winter? Or do I need to cover the sides during the winter? My plan was to just leave the wire fence that’s there just like I do with my chicken run.

I’d do a covered run if you have any aerial predators or predators that can hop fences. It would also provide extra shade and rain / snow protection, if that’s needed.

I never needed to cover the sides of my run, as my winters only get down to around 15 - 20°F. My ducks are nice and warm on their own. It may be necessary for you, though, if it gets much colder.

 

[BrahmaBaby]

I’d do a covered run if you have any aerial predators or predators that can hop fences. It would also provide extra shade and rain / snow protection, if that’s needed.

I never needed to cover the sides of my run, as my winters only get down to around 15 - 20°F. My ducks are nice and warm on their own. It may be necessary for you, though, if it gets much colder.

Yes, it can easily get below 0 degrees F so I’m kind of wondering if it would be best. I’ve seen where people will buy a big clear shower curtain and hang that on the sides of their fence. Would that work?

 

[igorsMistress]

Runners are amazing and have tons of character. Most ducks do though. I’ve read a lot about the shower curtains on the run in winter, other than likely having to replace them regularly I’ve heard that works great. My ducks don’t sleep in a coop these days, but I recommend that you make it tall enough to walk in for cleaning. Duck poop is very wet compared to chicken poop and I had to clean more often or add more straw.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It’s definitely doable! converted an open lean-to off my barn into my poultry area. These were taken when we were still finishing it up and the other pen where the ducks are there is a single row of nesting boxes on the ground. Small doors lead to the outside, but with these guys I open the 8x8’ sliding door and then their pen door for them to free range. I don’t have a picture after the install, but we installed industrial grade agricultural ventilation fans in here. It gets subzero where I live, we can get deep snow (it was waist deep here last year) and very high winds with lots of storms (we have had up to 118mph). I couldn’t do open ventilation even if I wanted to here. Last year I forgot to close up the 2 in. eave just under the roof and all along the entire 60ft was a good 2 ft of snow INSIDE. It was insane especially for such a little opening I couldn’t believe it, but the driving winds are just crazy here. That week it was -20F with 40mph winds.