Building A Duck House In Your Backyard?
Finally, my ducks are in their new pen. Pretty exciting except that I had to clean up the old pen. A little gross, but my garden will love the poop straw!
If you want to build a quick duck pen in your backyard, then do I have an idea for you!
We started out with a FREE Little Tikes house from my favorite website, http://www.craigslist.org Just plug in your state and city and start searching. Find the FREE tab and check it all the time!
Ducks don’t need to roost like a chicken, so all you’re looking for is shelter. In our town, the run needs to have a 3 sq. ft. area per duck. That should be good rule of thumb if you are wondering what kind of space your ducks need.
I have a heat lamp hanging from the center, which I will move when the weather warms and the ducks are a bit older. The food and water are inside mostly so the grain doesn’t get wet. Notice that the waterer is setting on a brick. This way the ducks won’t try to play in it, they’ll just drink it!
My husband decided to make the pen out of 1″ PVC pipe so it would be lightweight and movable. He used zip ties to attach the fencing to the PVC. I don’t know if you can see them or not, but he attached some utility type clips, like you use to hang a broom, onto the house. This way we can move the house and the pen separately and then re-clamp it together. Cool, huh!!
It’s a good idea to put fencing over the top to keep predators out and so you can sleep at night ;-) And by the way, there is no floor except a PVC piece to keep the pen sturdy. I will put straw down for bedding and change it every few days.
The door is really cool because he made it hinge with a 90 degree elbow. Then we just use a chain to keep the door shut. You could even use a lock if you needed real security.
However, if you live in the country, this may not be secure enough. Anything that can dig can go right under your pen, so think on those things.
Locked in and ready for the night, actually for the big storms we are having right now. I just looked out the window and in the lightning I could see them all playing in the tub of water. Crazy ducks!
Hallie on 2009.04.27
Thank you so much for hopping over to my blog. Cuz now I found yours! And I LOVE DUCKS!! Ieven wrote a song for my beloved Reuben. http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/2008/05/where-have-all-good-ducks-gone.html
Hallie
Ava on 2009.09.25
Hello, my name is Ava Koo, and I’m trying to legalize backyard ducks as pets in residential areas in Huntington and Huntington Station, NY. I started raising ducklings in my backyard because my mother is allergic to chicken eggs, and duck eggs would allow her to eat eggs again. Unfortunately, the town found out about my backyard ducks and are trying to make me get rid of them. Currently, only chickens are allowed, but I’m trying to change that! If you have any advice that would be amazing. I’ve also created a facebook group that I’ll be updating as things progress and an online petition. Thank you!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=147806406185
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ducks/
Duck Lady on 2009.10.04
Please help Ava and sign her petition, it’s easy!
todd hoffman on 2010.03.13
It is the best / neatest one me and my kids saw all day! We love it!
Bethany Fitch on 2010.03.20
I love your pen. But I was wandering what is behind the little tikes house?
If you dont mind answering . How long did it take to make it? Hw much did you spend on the pvc pipe and everything? Did you use chicken wire?
Thank You in advance
Duck Lady on 2010.04.02
My garden is behind the house. Probably took about 2 hours to assemble and the parts cost about $20. We used what I call “horse fencing” to wrap the pvc. I found that free on craigslist. Good luck!
Laura on 2010.05.27
Hello,
I wanted to say thanks for your website. I really like it, also thank you for gardening, quilting and raising ducks. I feel that every generation we are losing these self sufficient skills. Glad to see people are still keeping the traditions alive.
Arzu on 2010.05.30
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I have 5 ducks and 23 chickens. I had such a hard time trying to decide what kind of a coop I should build or buy but you’ve given me ideas that won’t break my bank nor would it take too much time. Thank you
Arzu on 2010.05.30
just realized, don’t think I’ll be using tikes house, too small
but you’ve given me ideas I probably build that accommodates chicken and ducks.
James on 2010.06.10
How much do they weigh I was think bout doin it but with out the door I figured I could lift it up when I’m ready to get my duck out
brutus on 2010.06.13
Thanks for the great idea, I do not even have to look for the playhouse as my kids have outgrown theirs. You have saved me alot of time!