predator proof duck/chicken house/pen?

Anyone have any good predator proof pen designs for ducks? Ones where the ducks can go in and out on there own, but predators can not? Is that possible? Please post instructions/schematics if so

Jordan Struck wrote:Anyone have any good predator proof pen designs for ducks? Ones where the ducks can go in and out on there own, but predators can not? Is that possible? Please post instructions/schematics if so

Ok, not sure how a duck could get in, and not something duck sized with bad intentions? A door man perhaps!

There are tons of designs for fowl houses that can be made critter proof, but you will have to close them up at night. Ducks are pretty crafty, but are susceptible at night , or if they are on nest.

The few times I have been around ducks, I was hoping something would catch them!

I saw a drawing once for a duck enclosure that had a "duck under" (no pun intended) water entrance. It looked sort of like a moat that went under a section of the enclosure's fence. But I don't know where the drawing is anymore (it was only of one perspective too), nor if the idea works in reality. Would the ducks even know to go underwater to get from one side of the overhanging fence to the other? Would foxes, racoons, etc. not know how to and/or not want to duck under water to get from one side of the fence to the other?

Jordan Struck wrote:I saw a drawing once for a duck enclosure that had a "duck under" (no pun intended) water entrance. It looked sort of like a moat that went under a section of the enclosure's fence. But I don't know where the drawing is anymore (it was only of one perspective too), nor if the idea works in reality. Would the ducks even know to go underwater to get from one side of the overhanging fence to the other? Would foxes, racoons, etc. not know how to and/or not want to duck under water to get from one side of the fence to the other?

Well, that is kinda a catchy idea, but raccoon and mink are two things I can think of that like fowl, and do not mind water.

The best I have seen are islands. My son just built one, basically a single section of floating dock, anchored out on the lake. He intends to put nest boxes and a deer feeder so he only has to paddle out there occasionally.

I agree about islands. There is a guy near me with a little farm and he has an island he made that his rabbits and chickens live on. no predators get them and we have bob cats out here besides racoons and foxes and things. I wonder though if he has more than just the island because can't racoons and foxes swim?

Here is a link to an enclosure with underwater access: http://www.veryediblegardens.com/about-us/other-news/233-design-solutions

We have a duck house with a screened in porch area where we place the food and water. They can only enter the house from the porch but we do lock them into the porch/house each night so I am not sure it's quite what you are looking for. I'll try to post a pic later.

Yeah a picture would be nice. Thanks.

Sounds like people are undecided in if raccoon will swim into a coop? Are raccoons interested in messing with Muscovy ducks? Ducks can be pretty intimidating. I can understand messing with chickens.

Jordan Struck wrote:Yeah a picture would be nice. Thanks.

Sounds like people are undecided in if raccoon will swim into a coop? Are raccoons interested in messing with Muscovy ducks? Ducks can be pretty intimidating. I can understand messing with chickens.

We have had muscovies killed while setting on nests, not sure what did it--could have been a coyote. We have had eggs stolen.

Well I've got lots of comments on the water design not working... but not many comments on what design(s) work to keep predators away. Any suggestions/ideas people? Photos, plans, drawings?

Here's our set up. The taller part on the right is the duck house with an opening into the porch part on the left. The ramp you see goes to the door we open for the ducks each day. Other doors are for food, water, and cleaning. The green posts with bird netting form a bit of a pen around the duck porch which is meant only to keep the ducks in, and does not keep predators out. It's useful to herd the ducks into a smaller space and when they were new, helped them to learn where home was.

Yes raccoons will swim, as will mink. Even if they font eat adults, they will eat eggs and young.

Closing them up at night will work.