Xerocles
Loving the herd life
First, I'm a newby at EVERYTHING. Moved into a small country place 11 months ago. Started with chickens (6 EEs) in March. Wonderful experience, no problems. Rabbits came onboard about a month ago. Good progress, expecting 1st litter in a week. In the planning and infrastructure phase of goats in the spring. Also beginning work on a new garden plot, using Ruth Stout deep litter method. So, I was told that for this system, I would need Runner Ducks to control slugs, bugs, and mice. Now, last week if someone had mentioned Runner Ducks to me, I would have envisioned a fowl trained to go get coffee and donuts. So I am at ground zero. Well, I got that I need to enclose the plot (600 sq ft) with low fencing to contain them (maybe augmented with electric for predator protection). And that I need a nighttime coop to protect them.
Here's where the questions start.
How big?
Im thinking 2 or 3 ducks will be enough? No desire to "raise" them, so females only. Since runners are supposed to be good layers, and ducks "usually??" lay early mornings, I want a coop large enough to not only protect them at night, but spacious enough for them to be in until eggs have been laid (which would generally be what time?) So. What size coop do I need?
Now.... I realize there are dozens of other things I need to address (and I have no problem asking more questions) I have been on BYH long enough to know you guys (as wonderful as you are) will inundate me with more (litterally) information than I can process. So, inasmuch as possible, can we limit advice to the coop issue?
Here's where the questions start.
How big?
Im thinking 2 or 3 ducks will be enough? No desire to "raise" them, so females only. Since runners are supposed to be good layers, and ducks "usually??" lay early mornings, I want a coop large enough to not only protect them at night, but spacious enough for them to be in until eggs have been laid (which would generally be what time?) So. What size coop do I need?
Now.... I realize there are dozens of other things I need to address (and I have no problem asking more questions) I have been on BYH long enough to know you guys (as wonderful as you are) will inundate me with more (litterally) information than I can process. So, inasmuch as possible, can we limit advice to the coop issue?