Nesting Boxes for ducks made easy

[MIDuckLady]

Many ducks just have no use for a chicken style nesting box. My girls used to just drop their eggs anywhere in the yard or pond. Often these eggs were trampled or retrieved (and eaten) by our Lab. The solution turned out to be using heavy plastic tubs with pine chips in a row in the back of their duck house. I’d placed a marked egg in each for about 3 days and they got with the program quickly. Now I just collect them there at about 8am before they go out to free range and hit the big pond.
My Saxony hen gets a little broody every so often and hisses at me when chase her out of the box. The girls love their boxes and take to them as soon as they go in at night. They also like to share them. The plastic tubs are very easy to clean too .
Because we live in hot humid Merritt Island , Florida our duck house is built of pressure treated deck boards on a thick concrete slab with metal roof and ventilation and hurricane tie downs. The house and pen are well shaded. I don’t use bedding on the floor itself as it must be hosed down at least once a day to keep clean and cool.

Pictured above is my primary flock with 1 molting Saxony Drake [Herman] and his girls Hilda, Helga, Greta, and maybe a Hansel ( too early to confirm ). Also have 2 Pekin and 2 ”wilding” KC / Swedish/Mallard ? ducks not pictured that lay daily.

 

[Runner duck mom]

Such pretty ducks! Great pond We use plastic totes as well and line with straw, our girls like it too. Gives them a soft spot to lay and hosing down the floor is so quick and easy.

 

[MIDuckLady]

Such pretty ducks! Great pond We use plastic totes as well and line with straw, our girls like it too. Gives them a soft spot to lay and hosing down the floor is so quick and easy.

Yes, bedding just reeks and attracts too many bugs in the hot south. The plastic tubs are a god send.

 

[Rammy]

Whete did you het the tubs?

 

[MIDuckLady]

Whete did you het the tubs?

Home Depot. They have the heavy duty ones and they often go on sale.

 

[Rammy]

Home Depot. They have the heavy duty ones and they often go on sale.

Thanks!

 

[Runner duck mom]

Yes, bedding just reeks and attracts too many bugs in the hot south. The plastic tubs are a god send.

For sure, hot and humid here in Georgia too

 

[katiebrock]

For sure, hot and humid here in Georgia too

I am in Georgia too! We are getting tons of rain!

 

[Jpat]

Very beautifull pond and flock! I wish i had that setup!