Thanks Dawn!
I'm going to make my doors swing down. That was one of the problems with the other one I built. The little ding dongs would lay right up against the door & fall out when I opened it. I found a few duck pens that look like they're in the same family as what I'm looking to build so that makes me feel better. I plan on putting the plug for the water on a chain so I don't have to put my hand in the muck to drain it. Now that you mention that it may be a problem, I'm going to test drive it before I get any further in my building. If it works the sink will be flush with the flooring. I think putting in extra water for drinking is a good idea. I'm leaning toward the east indians because the dd wants cayugas & call ducks and I don't have that much room, money, or the desire to make that many more pens. She wanted calls for their size & cayugas for their color/looks. I think east indians are a good compromise.
Oh I mentioned in my reply to Dean that I took apart my old hutch & am building the new one from it. I realized today that I will have enough left over material to make an A frame chicken tractor. I know 1 more pen. lol I'm thinking it could make a good bachelor pad for extra roos, a good isolation pen, or a just in case pen.
Marla
From: gothchickenlady <gothchickenlady@yahoo.com>
To: "CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com" <CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Call duck or east indian duck cage
To: "CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com" <CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Call duck or east indian duck cage
Marla
I house my 3 Gray Calls in a 2 hole rabbit hutch. The back faces the North to keep out the wind.
The front area has wire bottom and sides, 2 doors on the front. The "sleeping" area is completely covered and the back of the hutch swings up to open. That are also is open and in not divided up.
I use a mixing pan, bought at Lowes for their pool. They spend more time in it that they do anything else. Regardless of the weather. I've broken the ice off of it and they still spend the day regardless of the cold. It is supported underneath with metal strapping and is flush with the floor. Love the sink idea. But beware of how you plan on draining it. Ducks are stinky lil poop machines. I bale mine and then dump it.
Depending on the breed they may need water to breed in. I've only seen my Calls do it in their pool. Same with some of my larger breed ducks. I had a Rouen and a Pekin, they used the pool. My Runners don't need that option.
I use containers like Cool whip size for their food and water. That way they can dip their bills. Oh and that get's nasty too and I change 2x a day.
I'm planning on ordering Indies when I order more Runners. They are gorgeous birds!
Also, Calls can fly. Not to far or high, but they can. Found that out from personal experience, but that's another story.
Feel free to email me outta group with any other questions, Google Call Duck habitats. There are some really over the top one's out there. Where we are now is only temp, so I'm keeping it simple.
Dawn aka Gothy
http://fullmoonchickens.blogspot.com/
From: Marla <marlajulich@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:06 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Call duck or east indian duck cage
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:06 PM
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Call duck or east indian duck cage
Dawn, or anyone else who might have bantam duck cages I have some questions.
I'm building a cage for bantam ducks, the debate continues as to which breed. I'm planning on the whole thing being 8ft by 3.5 ft 2ft tall and raised about 2ft off the ground. I am planning a small part on one end to be a brooder for ducklings. There will also be an area for shelter even though the whole thing will have a roof over it. Will that be big enough for a trio? I also have an old bathroom sink that's about the size of an average litterbox that I'm planning on using for their water. I plan on using a plug in it and putting a bucket underneath for easy cleaning. Do you find the litter box to be sufficient for their water or would you go with something larger if you were redoing your cage? Are there any other changes or things you wish you would have done for your duck cage?
Thank you!
Marla
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
I'm building a cage for bantam ducks, the debate continues as to which breed. I'm planning on the whole thing being 8ft by 3.5 ft 2ft tall and raised about 2ft off the ground. I am planning a small part on one end to be a brooder for ducklings. There will also be an area for shelter even though the whole thing will have a roof over it. Will that be big enough for a trio? I also have an old bathroom sink that's about the size of an average litterbox that I'm planning on using for their water. I plan on using a plug in it and putting a bucket underneath for easy cleaning. Do you find the litter box to be sufficient for their water or would you go with something larger if you were redoing your cage? Are there any other changes or things you wish you would have done for your duck cage?
Thank you!
Marla
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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