The Best Duck Coops
Ducks are a friendly and helpful addition to a poultry flock, and they’re relatively hardy and easy to take of. Still, when they’re done eating the pests in your garden and laying delicious eggs, they need a safe and comfortable place to sleep. A durable duck coop is the perfect option, and many models have coops with nest boxes and an attached run where your ducks can waddle around.
What to Look For
While looking for the best duck coops, we asked ourselves three questions: Will this structure protect our birds? Does this coop provide enough space for our flock? How easy is it to assemble the coop? Our favorite duck coop was the model from Aivituvin because it is a complete unit and is lined with durable hardware cloth to keep out predators. However, it only has room for about two ducks. If you want something roomier, the walk-in pen from Polar Aura is a great option for a spacious run. To see our more in-depth reviews of the best duck coops on the market, keep reading.
Aivituvin Outdoor Wooden Duck House
If you have a pair of ducks, this compact coop and run is the perfect amount of space. It’s made out of durable gray plastic, and the roof is covered in asphalt. This makes the coop rainproof and protects your birds from direct sun on hot days.
Pros:
- The dropping board pulls out, which makes it very easy to clean..
- We like that the coop is ventilated, but also has a hardware cloth covering that can protect sleeping ducks from raccoons and other predators.
Cons:
- The run doesn’t have room for a water pool, but the multiple doors mean that you can attach a larger pen for your ducks.
Polar Aurora Large Metal Walk-In Poultry Cage
If you have a big duck flock, you know they need plenty of space to roam around. This pen provides ample space for your ducks, and it’s large enough to put in a pool for them to splash around in. The entire pen is covered with PVC-coated mesh, and it even comes with a water-resistant tarp to protect your birds from the elements.
Pros:
- Because the wire mesh is coated, it seems easy to clean and likely won’t rust over time.
- We like how securely the door seems to close and that there’s an option to add a lock, because it means the door won’t accidentally swing open.
Cons:
- There is a slight gap between the door and the coop frame, so snakes and ferrets might be able to get in.
Best Choice Products Outdoor Wooden Poultry Cage
Sweet dreams
Ducks are a great addition to your backyard, and when you only have a couple they’re much more like pets than livestock. This beautiful wooden coop is great for a pair of birds, and provides indoor and outdoor spaces that are secured with hardware cloth. You can also close the coop completely at night, which ensures your ducks will be safe from predators.
Pros:
- Because the coop is raised, it seems easy to clean and collect eggs without having to bend over.
- The wood is very sturdy, and it should only take about 30 minutes to assemble the entire coop.
Cons:
- This coop only fits two to three ducks, so it will crowd larger flocks.
Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Poultry Cage
This cute coop is a safe and snug place for three to five ducks to sleep and lay their eggs. You can divide the large nest box so that two birds can lay at a time, or you can leave it as one large box. The roof is rain-resistant, so you can rest assured knowing your birds will be warm and dry in all weather.
Pros:
- We love that the roof lifts because it makes the coop very easy to clean.
- The coop seems easy to assemble and is pretty light, so you can move it around your yard or farm.
Cons:
- There aren’t any openings when the coop is locked, so your ducks are safe from predators but the ventilation isn’t very good. Consider adding vents so the coop doesn’t get too moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size duck coop do I need?
The coop size that you need depends on how large of a flock you have. Plan for three to five square feet of inside space per duck, and about fifteen square feet per duck in their outdoor run. If you plan to keep your ducks inside a dedicated coop with an attached run, make sure there’s room for a small kiddie pool or place for your ducks to splash around.
Can I keep ducks and chickens together?
If you already have a chicken coop, you can definitely add ducks to your flock if you have space. Ducks don’t need much more than chickens, besides some water to swim in – you can even feed them the same general chicken laying feed. Just keep an eye on your poultry flock when you introduce new birds, to make sure they’re not fighting.
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