Nest Box in a Duck House?

[Lolliegee]

I'm going to be building my duck house this weekend and I'm wondering what others have done for nest boxes...do you actually give them a box for laying? If so, do you raise it at all like you do with chickens? I've got Khaki Campbells about 5-8 weeks away from beginning to lay.

I'd love to see pics of anybody's duck house/duck nest box too.

Thanks!!!

 

[sandyj]

Don't know about the nesting boxes, but just wondering when ducks start to lay eggs? I'm looking at getting a few.

sandyj

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Don't know about Khaki's but my Muscovies took over all the nice big plastic bins. My DH built a duck house for them and made the nest boxes on the outside. The girls seem to like them alot, at least for them and the ducklings so we will see if they use them for laying eggs next round.

And here is Charlotte in her plastic bin. You can't see it very well but it's one of those that you can stack. Perfect to get in and out of but keep your eggs nice and secure.

 

[Kats]

Quote:
Is that plastic bin right side up? Mine have been using apple crates lying on their sides, but of course all the bedding slides out (which they don't seem to mind). But if they would climb into a bin right side up, it would solve that problem.

 

[ChickenToes]

I gave my ducks a nesting box and they only used it about once a week. Now I just throw a pile of hay in a corner of the coop and they build their own nest that they all share.

 

[b.hromada]

Yes, my duck uses a nest box. I don't know if all ducks do, I would imagine so though.

 

[Dances with Ducks]

I put up a board about four inches high at the end of their old converted dog house to give them a nest box. What a difference! No more eggs rolling in poo! In fact they try to poop at the opposite side of the house or wait until I let them out in the morning. Nice duckies!
Keeper of the Hearth - Your duckhouse is spectacular!!

 

[froggie71]

We used a plastic tote turned on its side for a nesting box. The girls didn't use it but like to dig their own nest in the corners of the coop. One day one of our girls got herself stuck between the tote and the wall and couldn't get herself back out. She literally was scared to death. It was a sad day for us, so immediately built one of wood so it couldn't move and no more chances of that happening again, but it was a waste, because no one uses it.

 

[keeperofthehearth]

Is that plastic bin right side up? Mine have been using apple crates lying on their sides, but of course all the bedding slides out (which they don't seem to mind). But if they would climb into a bin right side up, it would solve that problem.

Yes, It's one of those stackable ones that have a high back and sides w/lower front. My chooks love those also and if they hatch chicks in them it's much easier for the peeps to get in and out fm the beginning. These were nice big ones fm Meijers. Also easy to clean after all those ducklings hatched out. Dump everything, pop it under a hose, scrub, disinfect,dry, fill and back into the chook shed.
Thanks, Dances! My DH did a nice job, if I do say so myself. Everyone who comes by gets a look.

The Scovies seem to be pretty happy w/it now. I did have to add a piece of board to the bottom of the door so the Scovies had "more privacy"

 

[Lolliegee]

Thanks for the input. I think I will go ahead and add one, since I would definitly rather have them lay in a contained space. I realize they may or may not use it, but one can hope,right? Anyone have suggestions on how to encourage them?

Please, keep those pictures coming.