Whether you are doing it for pleasure or for practical reasons (a.k.a. meat and eggs), ducks are awesome animals to raise.
But despite their cute and innocent appearance, ducks need specific care and attention to thrive.
And while raising them is something that has definitely been growing in popularity in recent years, the unfortunate reality is that ducks still aren’t quite as popular as backyard chickens.
It can be tough to find information about what ducks need to be healthy and happy!
One of the crucial aspects of raising ducks is providing them with adequate living space.
It’s not just about providing them with a house to live in — you also need to ensure they have enough room to be comfortable.
But how much space do ducks need, exactly?
In this post, we’ll explore the answer to that question and tell you everything you need to know to start successfully raising your own backyard ducks.
Do Ducks Need More Space Than Chickens?
The short answer to whether ducks need more space than chickens is: it depends.
Ducks are generally larger and more active than chickens, and they also love water.
Therefore, if you’re planning to keep ducks, you should provide them with a larger coop and run, as well as a pond or pool for swimming and dipping their heads.
Generally, each duck needs at least four to five square feet of indoor space and at least 15-20 square feet of outdoor space.
Another factor to consider when planning the coop and run for ducks is their messiness.
Ducks produce more droppings than chickens, and their droppings are more watery and smelly.
You must provide them with plenty of bedding, such as straw, hay, or wood shavings, which can absorb moisture and odor.
You should also clean the coop and run more frequently than you would for chickens, and provide them with access to a freshwater source, such as a trough or a bowl, which they may splash and soil.
If you’re curious about raising ducks with chickens, we’ll cover that a bit more later on in this article, but you can also get more information in this article.
How Many Square Feet Do You Need Per Duck in the Coop?
The amount of space you need per duck in the coop depends on various factors, such as the number of ducks you have, their age, the climate, and the purpose of raising them.
Generally, ducks require between four to five square feet of floor space per bird.
However, this doesn’t take into account their outdoor space, which is just as important.
Ducks need as much outdoor space as possible to forage, exercise, and socialize.
If you plan to keep your ducks in the structure all winter, you must provide each bird with 25 square feet of space.
Yes, that seems like a lot, but it’s crucial for their health and comfort.
Whenever possible, let your ducks outside during the day and house them during the night.
Ducks who are more active during the day will be much happier and healthier if they can roam freely.
This will allow them to forage and stretch their legs!
How Big Should the Door Be?
When it comes to designing a duck house, one of the most important factors to consider is the size of the door.
Ducks love to waddle around and socialize, so having a big enough door is crucial to their overall happiness.
Ideally, the door should be big enough for two ducks to pass through side by side.
A 14 by 14-inch opening is a good start, but the size may need to be adjusted for bigger breeds.
They’ll need a bit more clearance than chickens, as they tend to have a more upright, erect posture.
Remember that the door should also be tall enough for the ducks to enter and exit comfortably.
What Kind of Flooring Should Be in Your Duck Coop?
Choosing the right flooring for your duck house is another key factor to consider.
Ducks are messy creatures, so a flooring that is easy to clean and maintain is ideal.
Some good options include concrete, gravel, or even dirt with a layer of straw or wood shavings on top.
It’s important to make sure the flooring is slip-resistant and provides good traction for the ducks, as they can easily slip and fall on smooth surfaces.
Do Ducks Need Roosting Bars?
Ducks don’t roost like chickens, so you don’t need to provide perches or high ceilings.
Instead, they will make their own nests in the straw on the floor.
In fact, ducks prefer to sleep on the ground or low surfaces rather than in elevated positions.
You also don’t need nesting boxes for ducks.
They will lay their eggs in the straw nests they build, and they will do so in a communal manner.
Ducks share nests, so don’t be surprised if multiple birds lay eggs in the same nest.
Can Chickens and Ducks Live in the Same Coop?
Chickens and ducks have different roosting preferences, so they often do not interact or cross paths in the same coop.
Chickens prefer to roost higher up, while ducks roost on the ground.
This might seem like good news for anyone wanting to raise both animals together, as they won’t have to deal with territorial issues or competition for roosting spots.
However, it’s important to note that you’ll need to provide your ducks with a separate roosting area that’s not directly beneath the spot where your chickens will be roosting – otherwise, your ducks will be getting pooped on all night long!
It can be tough to find room for both species in the same coop with these different roosting preferences, so many people choose to keep them separately.
There’s also the cleanliness factor to consider.
Chickens are known to pick at the ground, scratching and digging up earthworms and other insects, whereas ducks are not as active on the ground.
Ducks enjoy splashing in the water.
And when they do so, they make the ground very wet, which could cause problems for birds that prefer a dry environment.
Therefore, if you want to keep both chickens and ducks in the same coop, you should plan to have a dry area for your chickens to roost.
Again – this can become a space issue.
While it’s certainly possible to raise chickens and ducks together, it’s important to take the time to address these issues before just throwing everybody into the same coop together.
How Much Space Do Ducks Need to Roam?
Ducks are extremely active animals that like to be on the move, so they need more space than chickens.
In some cases, certain duck breeds are larger than chickens, which adds to their need for space, too.
The minimum space you should provide for each duck in the pen or run is 15 square feet.
This space is necessary to allow the ducks to move freely and exercise their wings.
If you’re planning on raising ducks for eggs or meat, you may need more space.
Ducks that are raised for commercial purposes need more space and a special diet to grow healthy and produce quality eggs or meat.
Another factor that you should consider when providing space for your ducks is the type of environment they live in.
Ducks that live in cold climates need more space than those that live in warm areas.
They need space to move around and stay active to keep warm during the winter.
Muscovy ducks are perfect for cold climates because they have a high metabolism and can withstand freezing temperatures.
They’re bigger, but they also need more space.
Ducks also love to forage and peck around, so they need space to do this.
If you keep your ducks in a small enclosure, they won’t have enough space to forage for food, leading to health problems.
A large yard or free range is ideal for ducks because it mimics their natural habitat and allows them to live happily and healthily.
How Much Water Do Ducks Need to Swim In?
We all know that ducks need water to stay healthy – but many people don’t realize that ducks need more than just a few drops of water to swim in.
In fact, ducks need enough water to submerge their entire body.
This water must also be deep enough to allow them to practice their diving and swimming skills.
The general rule of thumb is that ducks need at least four to six inches of water depth to submerge themselves completely.
However, if you have larger duck breeds like Muscovy, they require deeper water levels of up to 12 inches.
How Much Space Do Ducks Need to Lay Eggs?
Ducks need enough room to be able to lay their eggs comfortably.
If they are cramped together, they may become stressed, resulting in reduced egg production.
It is generally recommended to allot at least four square feet of living space per duck, but this can vary depending on the breed of your ducks.
Smaller ducks, such as bantam ducks and call ducks, will not need as much space as larger or heavier breeds, such as Pekin or Muscovy ducks.
Having the right amount of space is important not only for egg production but also for the safety and health of your ducks.
They need adequate shelter to protect them from harsh weather conditions and predators.
Ducks require access to clean water and a place for them to swim, which may call for even more room.
For egg-laying ducks, having access to a private spot to lay their eggs is key.
It doesn’t need to be a nesting box, like what chickens have, but they need a private spot nonetheless.
The ducks should have access to the nest area all day, and it should be located in a quiet and less disturbed area.
Eggs that are laid in highly visited areas risk being accidentally kicked, and your ducks may feel stressed, which can reduce egg production.
How Much Space Do Baby Ducklings Need?
Ducklings up to 3 weeks old need at least one square foot per duckling and a minimum of 5 square feet for small groups.
If you have four ducklings, you need at least 5 square feet of space.
If you have 10 ducklings, you need at least 10 square feet; if you have 100 ducklings, you need at least 100 square feet of space or more.
It’s important to note that these are minimum requirements, so if you can provide more space, your ducklings will always be happier and more comfortable.
From age 4-8 weeks, the young ducks need about 3 square feet per bird and a minimum of 16 square feet of space.
This stage of their growth is when they become more active and curious, so they need more space to explore, play, and socialize.
If you have five ducks, that means they need a minimum of 16 square feet.
If you have 10 ducks, they need 30 square feet.
And with 100 ducks, they need 300 square feet.
Again, providing more space is always better if you can afford it, as overcrowding can cause stress and aggression among the birds.
Once the ducklings are 9-15 weeks old, they need at least 5 square feet per bird and a minimum of 20 square feet of space.
This is the stage when they start to develop their adult feathers and need more room to preen, flap their wings, and practice flying.
If you have five ducks, they need a minimum of 20 square feet. If you have 10 ducks, they need 50 square feet.
And with 100 ducks, they need 500 square feet.
Again, these requirements may vary depending on the breed of your ducklings, so it’s always a good idea to do your research beforehand.
How Much Space Do Ducks Need? Final Thoughts
The minimum recommended space for each duck is 15 square feet, but you should consider other factors like breed, climate, and purpose when determining how much space your ducks need.
Remember that happy and healthy ducks will lay more eggs, produce better meat, and provide you with endless entertainment and joy.
So, take good care of them and provide them with plenty of space to roam.
Interested to learn more about raising ducks and duck housing?
Check out our recommended articles below!
