The basic coop requires 4-5 square feet per duck and a minimum of 10-12 inches of clearance above the bird’s head.
I often make my duck coop from scraps, old pallets, and furnitures until they grow a large flock and complain about space.
You can swap coops between chickens and ducks as they provide the same facilities. Here are the best homemade or DIY duck coop ideas.
1. The Classic A-Frame Duck Coop
You can begin with a 4’X4′ or 4’X6′ size for a small flock.
Based on 4 feet per bird, they can accommodate 4 to 6 ducks. However, if it’s only for nighttime sleep, you can easily install 10-12 birds.
As the design is super simple, it can be built with scraps and old furniture, such as a pallet, plywood, and corrugated asphalt roofing panels.
If you lack wooden pieces, it is okay to build the sides and floor with sturdy wire mesh.
To make it a tractor, add four wheels. Actually, you can easily pull or move a small house.
Many keepers install a flip-up door to access eggs and bedding when needed. But I like sliding doors and windows, which operate cool and are secure.
Pros: Easy to build, portable
Cons: Limited space
Best for: Small flocks, mobile setups
DIY Level: Beginner
2. The Duck Tractor (Mobile Coop)
If you don’t want your ducks to make a mess around you in a single spot, build a duck tractor for them.
This allows your birds to eat fresh grass in the backyard, protecting them from predators during the day, and to poop in a desired area.
It is the same chicken tractor you can use for your ducks.
As it is a movable structure, you should make it lightweight but safe enough.
Make sure you use a sturdy frame, wire mesh, a safe lock, and durable wheels.
The design can range from an A-frame to a rectangular box, depending on the size. To make it more comfortable for keepers, attach a small structure for supply storage.
Pros: Rotational grazing, fresh grass daily
Cons: Needs frequent moving
Best for: Pasture-raised ducks
DIY Level: Intermediate
3. The Walk-In Duck House
It’s a large coop setup where you can enter and access the indoor stuff comfortably.
In the real sense of a duck house, it includes a nesting box, roosting bars, a waterer, and a feeder.
If you lack a backyard for birds to roam, this coop can be a solution. It can be anything, around 7′ x 8′ or 8′ x 10′, attached to a spacious run enclosure.
The house has a secure lock on the door, so keepers need not worry about their birds.
Down the wall, there is a small window through which ducks go to the run.
As it’s a permanent house for ducks, you can build a small store room for the duck supply, attached to the coop.
Pros: Spacious, easy to clean
Cons: Unmovable
Best for: Medium to large flocks
DIY Level: Intermediate
4. The Converted Shed Coop
It’s a lovely idea to turn your garden or animal shed into a duck house.
As the structure is almost there for the birds, you need only to add some renovations, such as new walls and insulation, and to install the bird supply.
Wooden sheds work great for a duck house as they provide more security and enough floor space.
I don’t prefer metal and plastic, which get hot easily. When making a wooden floor, you can use horse stall mats to protect it.
I had an 8′ x 12′ old shed, which I converted into a chicken coop. However, I later made it for ducks.
To make it functional, I bought a metal roost box kit online, and my dad helped me install ladder-style root bars on the opposite side.
Then, I installed an automatic door lock, which allows my birds to go into the run attached to the structure.
Pros: Uses existing structures, spacious
Cons: Needs predator-proofing
Best for: Repurposing old sheds
DIY Level: Beginner
5. The Elevated Duck Coop
Have your duck house near the pond, and does it always remain damp for your birds with the bedding?
It’s high time to rebuild a house for your birds to ensure their safety and health.
The bedding that touches the soil or ground makes an invitation for rodents, snakes, and various bugs, which can trouble your flocks. It worsens in wet conditions, especially in the rainy season.
So, you need to make a coop on the tall pillars (preferably 2 feet) above the ground.
As it is above the ground, you need to train or drive your ducks to use the ramp.
If you want to raise ducklings, you can design a structure like a small tractor with tall legs instead of wheels. There, you can also install small water tubes for babies.
Pros: Better ventilation, predator-resistant
Cons: Requires ramps for ducks
Best for: Wet climates
DIY Level: Intermediate
6. The Greenhouse-Style Duck Coop
It is a modern duck coop setup in a greenhouse design with additional facilities.
Whether it is a tunnel house or a full-fledged greenhouse, they all regulate temperature to create a warm environment for ducks indoors.
Additionally, they have a garden integration feature, allowing ducks to access fresh feed.
The greenhouse has a large space, so your ducks will be happy roaming around inside.
What about an old greenhouse to turn into a new duck coop?
It’s just a repurpose project for your homesteading. Many keepers place a small traditional duck coop in the greenhouse setup.
As this is a structure within a structure, you can use various types of fencing to form a pen, such as welded wire, snow fencing, fence panels like picket and dog-eared panels.
Pros: Warm in winter, sunny
Cons: Can overheat in summer
Best for: Cold climates
DIY Level: Advanced
7. Off-Grid Duck Coop
It’s a self-sufficient setup that regulates lights, water, and temperature without external support.
This will be a great place for your birds to live.
But it requires several alternative energy sources for lights, fan, and water. So, you need considerable sources for this coop, such as solar power with battery backup.
Filtered duck tub with flush drain to culvert, CNC-glide cleanout door, and zero-gap access panel are additional facilities.
My friend has a garden system that powers a duck coop door and a small pond.
Besides, you need to calculate the daily consumption of electricity and other resources if the off-grid setup will be built to size.
Pros: Solar-powered options available
Cons: More complex to design; extra cost
Best for: Remote areas
DIY Level: Advanced
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend much on coop if you have 4 ducks or a small flock. The pallet-made coop or coop made of old furnitures is more than enough.
The large sheds with run or pen are only required when you have layers and large flocks.
Many hobby keepers create duck mansions for large flocks or breeds like Welsh Harlequin, Call Duck, Indian Runner, and Cayuga.
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