Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: bantam novice on August 07, 2011, 12:50
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How much space should I allow per duck when considering the size of duck house I need to look for?
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It depends on the type of duck but for the lighter breeds it is about a square foot per duck although I tend to double that. If they are going to spend any time confined in the house it will obviously have to be a great deal more.
Remeber that they don't want or need perches.
What type of ducks were you thinking of?
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My Aunt and I are thinking of starting with 6 Aylesburys initially but knowing what has happened to my chicken flock (growed like Topsy!) we may want to expand in the future.
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They are big ducks (and generally a table bird so not the best layers) but can be very friendly. The friends of mine who have had them have loved them. Be a little wary as now adays almost all large white ducks are called Aylesburys but few are.
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I have 4 large ducks and they have a decent size shed with straw in and they sleep outside :mad: :D
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Thanks Kate and Madclucker. Your comments, as always are very helpful. This is a great forum!
Now for my next question :D
Do ducks need access to water inside the house (for drinking) as well as outside? With hens I would just have water outside but I have never kept ducks before.
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I only put their water outside, being ducks they love water and are very messy with it. Everyday i give them fresh water, i empty out the dirty water and rinse the sludge from the bottom, the ducks will then proceed to drink the dirty water i have just poured out and seem to love making sloppy mud with their beaks ??? :D
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I only put their water outside, being ducks they love water and are very messy with it. Everyday i give them fresh water, i empty out the dirty water and rinse the sludge from the bottom, the ducks will then proceed to drink the dirty water i have just poured out and seem to love making sloppy mud with their beaks ??? :D
:D :D :D
Pretty much identical to what I would say!
They sulk like mad if they don't have fresh water and them play in the filthy stuff when they have fresh!
Don't give them water in their house. They will just make the place a stinking quagmire and they don't need it overnight.
Mine only ever have it in the house if I have to leave them trapped in for longer than overnight and they have almost a meter squared each which horrifyingly is apparently enough for them to live in 24/7 according to the rules!
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Many thanks again :)