I’ll bet you are asking yourself why you would want to make your own nesting boxes for ducks.
For starters, the chicken nest boxes you can buy are not built for ducks. What are the differences? Well, let me tell you about my flock of ducks and what worked for them.
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Do I Need a Nesting Box?
Birds like to find a secluded place to build a nest. They are happiest with a place that feels safe from predators.
Having a nesting box will give your ducks a place where they will feel secure, and you will get cleaner eggs. It also makes it easier for you to find the eggs every day. No more Easter egg hunts.
Even though your ducks will lay without a nesting box, I recommend adding nesting boxes to make egg collecting easier.
How Many Nesting Boxes Do You Need?
The number of nesting boxes you add to your coop will depend on how many hens you have.
I’ve read on so many sites how you can have one nest box for anywhere from 4 to 8 chickens. Well, that may be true for chickens, but I raise ducks. And ducks are a little different.
Ducks like to have their own nests. At least mine do. They tend to be very territorial and do not like to share. I’ve seen when a duck gets off the nest to eat, another duck will get on her nest. But when the first one comes back….well, it usually results in one duck sitting on top of the other, and that’s on a good day.
Another problem is if a duck can’t find a nest to sit on, she will lay her egg wherever she happens to be standing, in the middle of the run where everyone is walking, in a pile of poop, or from the rim of the plastic pond, down onto the rocks where it breaks.
You should have 1 nest for each of the first 3 ducks. If you have more ducks than that, you should have 1 nest for every 3 to 5 ducks above that.
Related: 10 Necessities To A Perfect Duck House.
What Size Should Duck Nesting Boxes Be?
Chicken nesting boxes don’t work for ducks for many reasons. One issue is that chicken nesting boxes are not big enough for ducks. They will try to squeeze into them, but if it is not comfortable, ducks will find some other place to lay.
Ducks also like a place that is dark and where they feel secure.
I needed a place where the eggs would stay dry (it rains here a lot) and a duck laying box that is easy to clean. Lastly, I need something that is not going to take me a month of Sundays to make.
Make Your Own Easy Nesting Boxes
This is what I came up with. I looked for a dark plastic tote that was the right size for nesting boxes for ducks. ( it will need to be approximately 15″ wide x 18″ high x 23″ long.) You want it dark, not see-through. It gives the ducks a more secure, private feeling.
My wonderful hubby cut the opening in it for me. He started by drawing the opening with a marker, then he cut it out with a saw.
More Reading: Duck Eggs Vs. Chicken Eggs, Why Duck Eggs Are Better
Where Should Nesting Boxes Be Located?
Ducks do not fly up to nesting boxes the way chickens do, so they need to have their nests at ground level.
I took the new nesting boxes out to the duck pen and tried them out. I put the top on the ground. It becomes the base and helps keep the eggs dry and clean, as ducks like to dig through the deep litter to get to the dirt/mud to lay their eggs.
I then put clean hay on it and placed the base, which now becomes the top, on top of that. Done!
Wow, does that sound clear as mud? Hopefully, the photos will explain it better than I just did.
Related: 30 Gift Ideas For Duck Lovers
What Should You Put In Your Duck’s Nesting Boxes?
Adding bedding to your nesting boxes will make your ducks more comfortable and keep your eggs safer and cleaner. Bedding can be straw, hay, or wood shavings. Or whatever you are using for deep litter in your coop. You can also use nesting box liners if you wish.
I also like to add herbs to our nesting boxes. Herbs have so many wonderful health benefits and help repel pests.
Related>> Herbs For Chickens And Ducks.
How to Get Your Chickens To Lay Eggs In Nesting Boxes
Some people will say that ducks won’t use nesting boxes, but every duck I’ve had not only uses them but seems to love the privacy they provide.
But sometimes they need to be introduced to the nesting box so they know what they are, and get used to using them. There are a few things you can do to encourage their use.
- Place A Fake Egg In The Nest.
- Keep Them In The Coop Until Around Noon or Until They Have Laid.
- Keep The Nest Boxes Clean.
Collecting The Eggs
Now I can take what is now the top off, or just tip it, to gather the eggs, add fresh hay, or clean the nest box.
It did take a few days for my ducks to trust that this “new thing” in their pen was not going to eat them. They are so leery of anything new.
But now they love their new nests, and I really love the clean eggs.
I’m going to give them a larger one soon so they have room to raise a batch of ducklings. Mama will need that extra room for her brood.
Cleaning Your Duck Nesting Boxes
Clean boxes provide clean eggs. One of the nicest things about using a plastic tub is how easy it is to clean your nest box.
Check them each time you gather your eggs. You can hose them off and let them dry in the sun. Add some bedding, and they are ready to go again before your girls come back into the coop.
Conclusion:
Providing a place where your ducks feel secure and calm will cause them to lay more eggs. They will be cleaner and they will be easier to find. This is a win-win for both you and your ducks.
Check out these other posts about raising ducks:
Is Raising Ducks Right For You?
Deep litter duck and chicken run,
A Well Designed Duck Coop To Make Your Life Easier.
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Happy Homesteading!
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Mary is a gardener, backyard homesteader, and duck wrangler. She is also the owner and writer of LifeIsJustDucky.com and AGoodWordADay.com. (for daily devotions) Mary is passionate about helping others expand their backyard homesteading skills and learn to be more self-sufficient, no matter where they live.
My pekin ducks have stopped laying since I brought them home. What could be the reason. I am feeding them lay pellets & lots of fresh veggies. They are about a year old. Never had that problem before. My ducks have never slowed down on egg laying during the colder months like the chickens do.
I don’t know how long you have had them, but the biggest reason they will stop is stress. Predator attach, barking dogs or a big move. Other reasons could be lack of food or water for a day…yes, just one day! Sometimes it can take a while to get them started again. Pamper them, keep them calm and be patient. There are other reasons, but that is the most common.
Hi, so are the boxes inside a coop or outside in the run?
They can either be inside or in a covered area of your run. Mine are in the run, because it is easier to gather the eggs. But it all depends on your own situation. Also, it depends on your climate. In the winter where it freezes, you will want it inside where it is warmer. It doesn’t freeze where I live.
How do you all keep the predators away. I’ve had raccoons get in my ducks nest and just this morning, a fox ravaged her nest. The duck and 1 egg are still survived.
You have to build a very strong coop and run that predators cannot get in. Welded wire is your best choice. It has to be very secure. Check out these posts. https://www.lifeisjustducky.com/predators/ and this one https://www.lifeisjustducky.com/a-well-designed-duck-coop-to-make-your-life-easier/.
Don’t you need to secure it somehow? Seems like wind would tip it over or even move it away from the nest?
There is a lip that it sits in so it has never been a problem. If you have really hard winds, you should probably put up a windbreak anyway. This has really worked well for me. They are easy to clean and last…well, I’ve never had one wear out!
What size Tote did you use? Quarts or dimensions in inches would be helpful. Your link to Amazon is no longer valid.
Love the site!
Thank you for letting me know about the broken link. (I’ve fixed it) The dimensions are approximately 15″x18″x23″. It doesn’t have to be exact, but it needs to be large enough for the duck to get in and turn around. Happy duck keeping!
Hi Mary, I’ve had the same two ducks visiting my backyard 2 years in a row and have just put in a water bathing ponds one side deep about 16 inches and the other just 10 inches. They have really taken to the new area! I am planting tall grasses around the ponds and cleared a safe area for them to nest. Seeing your diy nesting box, I will do this. Question is, should I be placing feeder fish to keep the algae down and give them something to eat?? I’ve been giving them quality birdseed and oat mix, peas and corn tossed into the water, they really like bobbing for peas..lol Any advice for this animal lover would be appreciated. Thankyou, Carlie
Carlie,
Oh, that sounds like so much fun! As far as feeder fish, why not! I don’t know how much good they will do, but they will be fun to watch. And they probably will help keep mosquitoes down too.(a fountain would help that too) Check out my article on mosquitoes for ideas on plants that scare off mosquitoes. https://www.lifeisjustducky.com/get-rid-of-mosquitoes/
My son did the same idea for the nesting box ( he has 20 ducks and lives in the country)except it’s upright with lid on so you can just lift the lid off to gather eggs and check it out. You don’t have to reach in or lift up and disturb nest quite so much. I’m incubating eggs now and plan on starting my own backyard duck situation, ( living in town and planning on 4)I have found several of your ideas helpful. Doing my research ahead !
That’s a good idea. Thanks for your input.
Interesting! thanks
Thanks, It’s great to hear from you. Hey how is that chicken coop coming?