Free range duck coop?

[Woodles74]

Hi everyone!

I have three 2 week old pekins, they are a constant mess but they are so much fun and entertainment and we love them already! We have 3 acres with a 1/2 acre natural pond. I want to free range them and I know people in our area who just let theirs come and go into their coop as they want and some who say they will be taken by predators right away if you don't lock them up at night. I was hoping that having a floating duck coop would help keep them protected from predators, but am not sure how to train them to go to it every evening. Anyone have experience with this?

Also, they are QUICKLY outgrowing the large tote brooder we are using, so I am thinking they may need to go outside sooner than I was planning.

 

[Debbie292d]

Curious if you're where the pond would freeze in the winter, as then you're back to square one.

The other concern is some predators can swim. While this would be cool, I'd still want mine on land in a secure coop at night.

I found a thread, much like yours from a few years ago.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/floating-duck-house.1408752/

 

[davez]

If I were to do this. I would put a thin rope across the whole pond which I could pull the house to the edge with. Then you could add dried mealworm treats to the inside to get them to go in, then pull the rope to get it back to the middle of the pond. If you are not locking them up, there is always a risk that something could get at them. Make sure the entire floating thing has roof over it to make it difficult for an owl to reach them. I dont think that it is a bad idea.