Help me figure out how to add a duck housing to my coop

[justinwithpoultry]

We went to the feed store to get chicks and start on that whole adventure about 3 weeks ago, and wound up coming home with a handful of chicks (5) and two ducklings. Fun times! I spent a bunch of time planning and then building out a coop for the chickens (with attached run). It's pretty big, we plan on getting more chickens. The interior of the chicken coop is 4'x8', and it's attached to an 8x8 run (I think the run may grow over time, but the coop seems pretty big). We're planning on adding another 4-6 chickens before the end of the year. The chicken coop is raised about 3 feet off the ground.

I was planning to build a duck house under the chicken coop. Last night finished roughing everything in on the coop (run is not hardware clothed, but mostly framed. I'm now trying to figure out a great way to add ducks to this whole situation, and would love some thoughts.

I don't really *plan* on having more ducks, but would not be surprised if we got a couple more over time.

Some considerations -

- We have the secure run, but will let the chickens range a lot around the yard (at least that's the plan)
- Should we let the ducks use the same run as the chicken? I'm leaning toward yes, but it seems like it could be good to put two doors in the duck house for them to use - one that comes into the run, one that goes into the yard...
- Should I use a different material for the duck house, or should I have just used the same siding as the chicken coop (regular siding)?
- Will a regular OSB panel be good to use for the duck house floor (like in the chicken coop) or will I be much happier with something that can either breathe a lot more (slats) or some kind of plastic/vinyl on the bottom?

Do I need to keep water in the duck house? They'll be out from morning until evening generally. For that matter, should there be any water in the chicken coop?

I'm learning a lot, been reading as much as I can find generally, and would just love some thoughts on how to finish this out. And ducks are SO MUCH messier than chickens. But so much more entertaining, so that's kind of worth it. =)

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC! @justinwithpoultry
Looks like you've got good start going!
Remember...1/2" hardware cloth everywhere, at least on the coop if not the run.

What I know about ducks....they are messy as heck, I would keep water outside the coop for sure. Ducks and chickens don't always mix well, hope you don't have a male duck.

Won't suggest anything else until I know....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[justinwithpoultry]

Thanks! I almost put in that I'm in Texas but somehow didn't get back to do that. So it's HOT.

 

[justinwithpoultry]

Oh, and yes. I have 1/2" hardware cloth (19 gauge) on all the coop openings (I need to add some, I think), and am in the process of putting it over the whole run. I was thinking something less intensive to do the part of the run that is not covered (the whole structure is 8'x12'. 4 linear feet of it (so a 4x8 section) is the coop, 4 linear feet is covered/roofed with proper roofing/etc, 4 linear feet is just open, and I'll cover with hardware cloth or similar.

I've taken a lot of pictures of the build process, and will post a more thorough post with the build I think, and ask for more suggestions at that point.

For now, ducklings (if you can even call them that anymore, they grow SO FREAKING FAST) are back in the bin in the garage for the evening).

 

[justinwithpoultry]

And, to answer the rest of your questions, we got the chicks and ducklings from the local feed/general store on july 26th - so I think everyone is about 3 weeks old. I think the ducks are straight run - it was kind of a blur there, my wife all of a sudden, as we were in the baby animal area of the feed store was like, "We also need to take home geese and a pot-bellied pig, and two bunnies, a boy and a girl, so we can have lots more". I was very happy to get out of there with only two species...

 

[aart]

Thanks! I almost put in that I'm in Texas but somehow didn't get back to do that. So it's HOT.

You may want more open meshed area in your coop too...like remove the run side coop wall and make run predator proof, HC all over and anti dig barriers

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation,
bury apron of 1/2" HC 12-18" if you have rats.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

But the good news is, you can leave duck water out in run all year around!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Ducks could use a wading pool but also are very messy most do not house them together

 

[justinwithpoultry]

You may want more open meshed area in your coop too...like remove the run side coop wall and make run predator proof, HC all over and anti dig barriers

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation,
bury apron of 1/2" HC 12-18" if you have rats.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

But the good news is, you can leave duck water out in run all year around!

So are you suggesting that

1) I take a bunch of the side wall facing the run off (like the top half probably would be easy to do, and makes sense)
2) Put a little duck house under the chicken coop (like enclose 4'x4' of the "under the coop area)
3) Leave the duck water in the chicken run, and just let the chickens and ducks share the same run?

And yes, I plan on the anti-dig apron around the perimiter. I'm not 100% sure the best way to secure the hardware cloth to the roof between eaves, so right now it's just spanning the eave distance (12-13"), but generally, plan to have the coop/run quite predator-proof.

 

[aart]

So are you suggesting that

1) I take a bunch of the side wall facing the run off (like the top half probably would be easy to do, and makes sense)
2) Put a little duck house under the chicken coop (like enclose 4'x4' of the "under the coop area)
3) Leave the duck water in the chicken run, and just let the chickens and ducks share the same run?

And yes, I plan on the anti-dig apron around the perimiter. I'm not 100% sure the best way to secure the hardware cloth to the roof between eaves, so right now it's just spanning the eave distance (12-13"), but generally, plan to have the coop/run quite predator-proof.

1. Yes, or the whole thing...leaving a 3 sides solid walls for wind protection.
@Texas Kiki did this not sure if she has pics.

2. that could work.
3. that could work too.
How to house ducks with chicken is beyond my experience, no ducks here.
If I had ducks I would likely have totally separate housing.

Eaves can be covered form outside, easier, IMO.
More pics here https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

 

[Steven Bussell]

My ducks and chickens use the same coop and run. I did have a duck house set up for them but they choose to sleep with the chicken's.
If you do use osb for the floor paint it , cover it with a cheap vinyl flooring, or black jack 57 I believe everyone is using.
Only problem about having a duck house under coop would be if they choose to lay eggs in it. You would have to get down on your knees to get to them.
Figure everything closer than 3' to your pool or pond to get wet. They will make mud soup if they have access to dirt close to it.
Ducks are like Peterbilt trucks.
My best advice is to set up chairs, table and umbrella so you have a nice place to enjoy them