Bountiful BackYard

**Step 1: Planning and Design**

  * **Determine Flock Size:** Plan the size of your shelter based on the number of ducks you have. A minimum of 4 square feet per duck is recommended if they are only confined at night; 12-15 square feet per duck is advisable if they are confined during the day. For large breeds, aim for 5 square feet per duck.

  * **Location:** Choose a well-drained, elevated area to prevent flooding. Proximity to your home can deter predators and make feeding and cleaning easier.

  * **Key Features:** Your duck shelter needs to be:

      * **Easy to Clean:** Ducks produce a lot of messy, wet droppings. Consider materials like vinyl or linoleum for the floor and lower walls that can be easily swept or hosed out.

      * **Movable (Optional):** If you want the flexibility to move your shelter, consider building it on a platform of pallets.

      * **Ventilated:** Proper airflow is crucial to prevent moisture buildup and respiratory issues from ammonia levels. Include windows, vents, or leave gaps at the top.

      * **Predator-Proof:** This is paramount. Ducks are vulnerable to raccoons, foxes, and birds of prey.

      * **Adequate Door Size:** Ducks are large and somewhat awkward on land, so a door about 14 inches wide and 12-14 inches tall is recommended. The house should be on the ground or have a low ramp, potentially with traction strips for wet, webbed feet.

      * **Human Access:** Don’t forget to include a large, drop-down access door or a hinged back wall for easy cleaning and egg collection.

  * **Materials:** You can often use scrap wood, pallets, and leftover roofing materials to keep costs down. Essential materials include:

      * Pressure-treated lumber or 2x4s for the frame.

      * Plywood sheets for walls and floor.

      * Hardware cloth (½-inch mesh) for predator-proofing and ventilation. Avoid chicken wire as it’s weak against predators.

      * Roofing materials (corrugated plastic, asphalt panels, shingles, or metal).

      * Hinges, latches, and screws.

      * Vinyl tile or linoleum for the floor (optional but recommended for cleaning).

      * Wood shavings or straw for bedding.

**Step 2: Preparing the Site**

  * Clear any vegetation and debris from your chosen location.

  * Level the ground to ensure the shelter’s stability. You can use cinder blocks, cement bricks, or stones to help with leveling.

**Step 3: Building the Base and Floor**

  * **Construct a Frame:** Create a sturdy frame using 2×4 lumber.

  * **Elevate the Base (Optional but Recommended):** Elevate the base on concrete blocks or pallets to prevent moisture damage and provide a shady lounging spot for your ducks.

  * **Attach Flooring:** Secure plywood sheets to the frame for the floor, ensuring it is sturdy and smooth.

  * **Install Flooring Material (Optional):** For easy cleaning, lay down peel-and-stick vinyl tiles or a layer of linoleum on the floor and about 1 foot up each wall. Secure it with a staple gun. Drill drainage holes in the front corners of the floor if you plan to hose it out.

**Step 4: Constructing Walls and Roof**

  * **Erect Wall Frames:** Build wall frames, incorporating openings for doors and windows.

  * **Sheathe Walls:** Attach plywood or siding to the wall frames. If using scrap wood, fill gaps with exterior caulking to prevent drafts.

  * **Ventilation:** This is critical.

      * Leave gaps at the top of the walls or below the roofline for continuous airflow.

      * Attach hardware cloth over roof openings or cut-out sections of walls for ventilation while keeping predators out.

      * Consider installing windows with mesh screens.

  * **Design a Sloped Roof:** Create a sloped roof to facilitate water runoff.

  * **Install Roofing Material:** Attach your chosen roofing material (corrugated plastic, asphalt panels, shingles, or metal), ensuring it is weather-resistant and covers the ventilation openings. An overhang can create a small porch.

**Step 5: Installing Doors and Windows**

  * **Duck Door:** Cut an opening for the duck door (around 14 inches wide and 12-14 inches tall). Build a low ramp if the shelter is elevated.

  * **Human Access Door:** Create a large access door, ideally on one entire side or the back of the house, that swings open completely or drops down for easy cleaning and egg collection. Attach with heavy hinges and secure with latches.

  * **Windows (Optional):** If adding windows, ensure they are covered with hardware cloth to keep pests out while allowing ventilation.

**Step 6: Finishing Touches and Predator-Proofing**

  * **Predator Proofing:**

      * Reinforce the coop with sturdy materials.

      * Bury wire mesh (hardware cloth is best) around the perimeter of the run at least 2 feet deep to prevent digging predators.

      * Install secure locks on all doors.

  * **Bedding:** Fill the house with plenty of straw or wood shavings for your ducks to snuggle into and make nests. Provide 4-6 inches of wood shavings, as ducks do not carry nesting materials. Avoid sawdust as it can suffocate ducklings and holds moisture.

  * **Paint/Sealant (Optional):** If using plywood or other lumber, consider painting or sealing the exterior with a non-toxic wood preserver or earth-tone paint to extend its life, but do not apply finish inside the box.

  * **Winterizing (Optional):** In colder climates, you can line the inside of the coop with contractor plastic to prevent biting winds. Extra straw in the winter also helps keep them warm.

Remember that you can always build in stages and make improvements over time.