Nest for wild ducks at home. Homemade nests for indoutok. Making homemade nests

If there is a place on the plot where you can place a small barn and a walking area, then it is quite possible to start breeding birds. Today, many decide to try their hand at poultry farming in order to raise ducks of different breeds. These domestic tiles are unpretentious in care and quite hardy to high and low temperatures, so their breeding is not only not very difficult, but also quite profitable.

In order for the process of growth and reproduction of ducks to be successful, you will not have to make excessively large expenses, but it will be necessary to take care of creating comfortable living conditions for the birds. For those owners who decide to start raising poultry in the local area, the question will inevitably arise of how to build a poultry house for ducks with their own hands without incurring significant costs. We will try to answer it in this article.

Duck room size

Before buying ducklings, it is necessary to determine what size the room will have for them. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to measure the area that can be allocated for this building.

If chickens already live on the site, and for them, then it is quite possible to temporarily or even permanently add five to seven ducks to them - as a rule, they will get along well with each other. If the owners' plans are to acquire more ducklings, it is better for them to build a separate house, and, depending on its area, the number of birds that can be placed in it is calculated.

So, one square meter of the room should be designed for no more than three adult ducks. These birds love space, so if a separate building is being built for them, then you should not make it less than 16 m², even if only 10 ÷ 12 ducks are purchased. It must always be remembered that a large crowding of birds in one room (pen) causes excessive competition, so the birds get stressed and experience serious discomfort, which is why they gain weight poorly or even lose it already gained.

What else is important to know about poultry houses for keeping ducks

In addition to the size of the room, when building such a house, you must always take into account how the ducks are kept, and what needs to be provided for their comfortable living and rapid growth.

Ducks, unlike chickens, are kept "in one tier" - only on the floor

If the chicken coop needs prerequisite is the fixing of poles for perches, it is allowed to build nests on several floors, then the ducks are kept on the floor, which is covered with dry bedding.

In order for the house or shed for keeping this bird to remain dry, it should not be installed in the lowlands of the site, where morning fog stands for a long time and abundant dew accumulates. The best option would be a hill on the south side of the territory.

Ducks are waterfowl, and they are very fond of clean water, but they may well get sick from stagnant swamp fluid. Therefore, water must not be allowed to stagnate under the poultry house or in the yard.

If there is no elevation on the site, you can raise the bird house 300 ÷ 500 mm above the ground by installing it on a columnar foundation - then a comfortable habitat will be created in the poultry house for any time of the year. For the convenience of getting the bird inside, a bridge with horizontal bars attached to it is attached to the entrance to such a raised barn. But it should not have too steep a slope, as it will be difficult for ducks to climb it.

Varieties of poultry houses for keeping ducks

Temporary duck pen

If there is still no suitable utility room on the site, and the ducklings have already been bought, then at the time of the construction of the house, you can fence off a place for them with a portable partition. This will require a bar with a thickness of at least 50 mm and a metal chain-link mesh with cells of 20 × 20 mm.

Such a corral should be a wooden frame, completely sheathed with a net, open only from the underside. A temporary poultry house will also be in demand after the capital “house” is built, as it can be used as a platform for walking ducklings or a small number of adults. Due to the mobility of the corral, after the ducklings have trampled and pecked out all the grass in the area covered with a net, it can be completely rearranged to another place in the area where there is still plenty of grass.

Such a device will not allow the bird to scatter and protect it from birds of prey, as well as from the penetration of dogs or cats. Ducklings will be in complete safety, but at the same time - in the fresh air and in the sun, which is very useful for their immunity, growth and development.

In order for the ducklings to be completely comfortable, it is imperative to put a basin of water and a feeder filled with food in the corral.

Stationary poultry house for keeping ducks

To build a stationary duck shed, you can use various materials - wood, brick, aerated concrete blocks or polycarbonate.

Wooden poultry house

Wood is an excellent material for building a poultry house, as it is warm, breathable and environmentally friendly. Various types of lumber can be used for construction - from logs to boards.

So, for a frame shed, a crate is created from a bar of different sizes in cross section. For example, a more powerful beam measuring 120 × 120 mm is used for the upper and lower strapping, and 70 × 70 mm will be enough for walls and partitions. Sheathing of the frame is made of board or plywood.

Another option for using wood is an outbuilding made entirely of timber. However, such a poultry house will be very expensive.

A third way to use wood to build a duck house is a log cabin. But no matter what type of wood is chosen, the walls will still require good insulation.

Frame poultry house - fast and affordable!

For commercial buildings, the most often chosen option is frame construction. For example, the construction process is described in stages in the article "", which is posted on the pages of our portal.

Building for ducks made of brick or aerated concrete

A poultry house made of aerated concrete or brick will cost more than an outbuilding built from other materials. In addition to the high cost, brick construction is a rather complicated process that requires certain experience in this work, and if there is no practice in performing brickwork, then you will have to invite a specialist.

The advantages of building a barn from this brick or blocks include durability and strength, and the main disadvantages are that the building turns out to be quite cold and will require enhanced insulation. A poultry house made of aerated concrete or stone will be difficult to warm up, since heat is poorly retained inside such outbuildings.

poultry netting

Polycarbonate poultry house

In regions with a mild winter climate, poultry houses for ducks began to be built from polycarbonate, in some semblance of greenhouses. Polycarbonate material retains heat well inside the room, since drafts are not created in it due to practically hermetic walls.

The transparency of the panels will ensure that there will always be enough daylight in the greenhouse, and due to the fact that cellular multilayer polycarbonate retains heat well, it will be quite possible to heat the building from it with one of the existing simple types of heating.

The main elements of a poultry shed for ducks

Foundation for poultry house

The construction of the foundation for the poultry house will depend on what material its walls are built from, since it is their weight load that directly affects the deepening of the base.

• For wooden building

For example, a wooden frame building is light in weight, therefore, when building a poultry house in this way, it is quite possible to do without a foundation at all - to raise the building on racks resting on a flat area.

If the frame house is planned to be raised above the ground on such racks, several problematic points can be solved at once:

- The room for ducks will not become damp from the soil, and inside it will be dry and warm;

- It will be more difficult for rodents and other predators to get into the duck house;

“Under the shed, there is enough space that the ducks will definitely choose on hot summer days, as coolness and shade will always remain there.

Racks can serve metal pipes, deepened into the ground by 350 ÷ 400 mm and reinforced with cement mortar (a kind of mini-piles), or metal racks are welded to a frame made of the same pipes with a diameter of 100-150 mm.

If the building rises above the ground, then under the entire poultry house it is recommended to backfill with fine-grained expanded clay, which rodents do not tolerate. For backfilling, you need to prepare a recess by removing the top layer of soil by 100 ÷ 120 mm, and then the resulting space is covered with expanded clay to the full depth.

If desired, the frame can be raised to a columnar foundation, which does not need to be deepened much, since the structure placed on it will not give a large load.

If you plan to have only a few birds, then it will be enough to install a small house that does not require a foundation at all. If it will be installed on the ground, then it is possible to prepare this zone by falling asleep on it and ramming rubble, and then laying a sand cushion on which a sheet of flat slate is laid. It will become a reliable and even basis for a small poultry house.

A log house or block structure must have a foundation, as it has a greater weight. It can be used as a columnar or pile, as well as a tape base.

How to build a columnar foundation?

A wooden poultry house does not require a strong foundation, but its reliability should not cause concern. How to do it right - read in a separate publication of our portal

• For the house of their bricks or blocks

Under the construction of brick or other heavy building material, the foundation will have to be done, significantly deepening it into the ground. The best option for stone buildings will be the tape type of the base.

If it is planned to equip the floor of the poultry house for ducks with a concrete screed, then it can be done immediately after the foundation tape hardens and gains strength. The deepening of the foundation into the ground will depend on the thickness of the walls, but it should not be less than 400 ÷ 450 mm.

Roof

The roof of the poultry house for ducks can have any of the existing structures, but the most common, due to ease of installation, are single-pitched or double-pitched truss systems. To cover them, you can also use any roofing material which is affordable. Most often, ordinary slate is used, but if it is planned to fit the duck house into the overall landscape design, then flexible or ceramic tiles or corrugated board of a certain color are used.

If an attic compartment is provided in the house, then additional roof insulation will not be required, but if a shed structure without an attic is arranged, it is necessary to thermally insulate the under-roof space, securing, for example, polystyrene foam 30 ÷ 50 mm thick or penofol. After fixing the insulation material, the roof is sheathed from the inside with plywood sheets - they are fixed with self-tapping screws on the rafter beam. It is possible to provide for a plank filing of an insulated ceiling.

Floors in duck rooms

The floor in the duck room can be earthen, concrete or wood.

• Earthen floors are too cold for the winter period, and because of this, the entire room will cool down. In addition, if the soil is not compacted, dirty slurry will be created in the room, especially near water containers. But ducks respond well to an uncoated earthen floor if warm bedding is laid on it.

• A concrete floor is more hygienic and easier to clean, but it is also cold and also requires a thick layer of heat-insulating natural materials such as hay or straw.
• Wooden floors are warmer, but it is necessary to close up all the cracks in them, or use a tongue-and-groove board for flooring. In addition, it is recommended to raise the floors on logs above the ground by at least 100 ÷ 150 mm. But, even if a plank flooring is made, it will still not be possible to do without insulating flooring materials in winter.

Video: building a frame barn, quite suitable for a poultry house

Interior arrangement of a poultry house for ducks

After the construction of the building for the poultry house, the second task that will have to be solved will be to provide it with everything necessary.

This process is mandatory, since ducks need to create the most comfortable atmosphere for normal growth and weight gain.

Duck Room Lighting

The performance and activity of birds largely depends on the correct lighting in the room for keeping ducks, since they are quite demanding on this factor. In order for sunlight to get inside the house for as long as possible during the day, windows must be provided on the south side of the building. At the same time, windows should not be too large, and they should be located at the top of the wall so that ultraviolet penetrates into the room, but the sun's rays do not fall directly on the ducks. If the windows are installed correctly, it will help to significantly save energy costs for artificial lighting.

However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that in the autumn-winter period only natural light will not be enough, since light must be present in the room for at least 14 hours a day. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct electricity in the poultry house.

To illuminate the "duck house" light bulbs are placed under the ceiling. Both the wiring and the placement of fixtures are planned in such a way that there is 5 watts of lighting per square meter of the room.

Proper lighting prolongs the activity of the bird and stimulates the functioning of its internal organs, which significantly increases egg production.

Space heating

Ducks tolerate winter temperatures quite well due to feathers tightly fitting their bodies, down under them and a layer of fat. But still, it is desirable that the temperature in the wintering room for ducks does not fall below 12 degrees, since with severe hypothermia for a long time, the bird may die.

Therefore, if winter temperatures in a particular region fall below 8 degrees (that is, almost everywhere), the house will have to be heated.

Heating can be carried out in different ways - this is infrared lamps hanging a meter from the floor, and if the room is large, then a water circuit is connected to the stove, which includes radiators.

This diagram shows a variant of how you can organize heating in a large poultry house. The numbers show the following elements of the system:

1. Heating boiler or furnace with water circuit.
2. Thermal storage tank installed in the boiler room of the house and having a pair of taps to the poultry house
3. Circulation pump.
4. Thermostatic switch that turns on the pump when necessary - when the temperature in the house drops below the set level
5. Heating radiators.

In the event that the stove is planned to be installed directly in the house, it will need to provide a separated corner for it, into which ducks cannot enter.

If it is decided to heat the duck house with infrared lighting or conventional electric lamps, it must be taken into account that 8÷10 square meters one lamp of 250 watts is required.

The lamps are installed in shades that reflect light and heat, and the height of the lamps suspended above the floor should be adjustable - when the temperature drops, the lamps go down, and when the temperature rises, they rise up to one meter and higher above the surface.

Another way to heat rooms for keeping animals and birds is, but in this case you will have to seriously spend money not only on the purchase of appliances, but also on a regular payment for electricity.

When installing any of the types of heating, it should be remembered that none of them will be effective without proper insulation of the capital structure of the house, since the heat simply will not linger inside the room.

Floor mats

Although ducks are resistant to cold, if they stay on a cold floor for a long time, they can frostbite their paws. In addition, severe hypothermia often leads to the death of the bird. Therefore, it is very important to make warm floor mats, 100÷150 mm thick.

Winter bedding should be dry, soft, not injuring the bird's paws, warm, quickly absorbing moisture, and also absorbing unpleasant odors. Therefore, for it, small or medium-sized sawdust, straw or hay, ash, or a mixture of several components are most often chosen. In the summer, you can cover the floor in the duck room with river sand.

Bedding should always be dry and must not have a musty smell, as harmful insects can appear in a dirty heat-insulating natural material that will spoil the feather and down cover of ducks.

The bedding is changed as needed, but it must not be allowed to be damp, otherwise it will lose its insulating qualities.

Room ventilation

Ducks do not tolerate drafts well, so ventilation should be carried out only with the help of windows located high above the floor. In winter, this event is held as needed, but in summer, ducks are mostly outside during the daytime, so at this time you can open the door to the poultry house wide open.

Be that as it may, ventilation in the room where the bird is located must be carried out, otherwise the litter will not dry out well, and pathogenic microflora may appear in it.

Bird walking areas

Walking a bird is a mandatory exercise that should be carried out at any time of the year. In summer, a paddock fenced with a net will be organized for walks, where all the elements necessary for ducks will be provided. In winter, ducks are recommended to walk on the site if the temperature outside does not drop below 10 degrees, and they are released for a walk for a short time.

plastic pond

The winter playground should be protected from the wind, and also have a roof that will cover the birds from rain and snow. And in order for dirt to form on it, it is recommended to fill it with a mixed mass of sand and sawdust. These materials absorb moisture well, and, being in a mixture, do not form a hard crust at low temperatures. Before releasing the bird onto the site, the backfill must be leveled with a rake, while breaking the frozen lumps.

Some farmers necessarily organize in front of the entrance intended for birds, a kind of covered corridor with a wooden floor, which in winter serves as an excellent walking area, as it protects the bird from wind and rain, and also allows you to get inside the premises at any time. With the construction of such an extension, several problems are solved at once - the bird will not freeze its paws, it is not in a draft, you do not need to take water and food out into the street, since the entrance to the room is open, and ducks can always go inside.

Drinkers and feeders for ducks

Duck feeders vary, but are usually long wooden or plastic troughs. Some farmers, taking into account all the nuances, develop their own designs of feeders, which are both convenient for the bird and allow you to keep the feed clean, without foreign contaminants getting into it. For their manufacture are used plastic pipes 100 mm for sewerage, in which the required number of holes are cut.

Wooden and homemade plastic feeders are good for dry loose food, while wet food is best placed in containers made of stainless steel.

The feeders are made long so that the ducks can all eat at the same time, do not climb on top of each other and do not fight. If a wooden long feeder is made, then it should be divided in two from above with a bar. This design was invented so that the ducks could eat, approaching the feeder from two sides, and only the bird's beak passed between the bar and the wall of the container.

Containers are installed on the floor, in places to which there is free access from all sides. There should also be the required number of feeders on the walking area. It should be noted that ducks do not differ in accuracy and scatter food throughout the room, therefore, in order to save money, it is recommended to pour a small amount of food into the feeder, and when it is eaten, add more.

As a drinking bowl on the site, you can use an ordinary plastic basin filled to the brim with water, since it is not scary if it is spilled on the ground. In the poultry house, it is better to install a drinking bowl, which will be replenished with water as it decreases from the lower tank.

But, we must not forget that ducks are waterfowl and they should always have free access to clean and fresh water. Since each of the birds drinks up to 600 ml per day. liquid, its reserves must be constantly replenished. Automatic drinkers will be the best option for indoor installation - they will not pollute the water, and the bird will not be able to climb into the basin.

Ponds for ducks

As mentioned above, water is the native element for ducks, therefore, if there is a natural reservoir nearby, the house should be built closer to it so that the birds have the opportunity to take water procedures more often in natural conditions. If there is no reservoir nearby, it will be necessary to make at least a small artificial one, and it is better if it is located on the walking area.

If there are few ducks, then an old bathtub is perfect for making a pond, which can be connected to the sewer system, which will make it easier to replace the water in the tank as it gets dirty.

The bath is dug into the ground in a place convenient for the bird. If there is a desire to expand such a “pond”, then an additional container made of polypropylene or rubber is installed under the bath, but of a larger size. Then they are combined with each other, covering with a dense plastic film. Thanks to this design, it turns out different level depths. After this, the edges of the reservoir can be decorated with flat stones, and then the container can be filled with water.

If there are a lot of ducks, then the pond is made differently for them. For him, a pit is dug one meter deep. In the event that it is planned to drain water into the sewer, a drain pipe is laid to the bottom of the future reservoir. Then, the pit and its edges are reinforced and concreted by 150÷200 mm. After the concrete hardens and gains strength, the sewer hole is closed with a stopper, and the resulting container is filled with water.

So that ducks on their paws do not bring dirt into the water, it is recommended to remove the soil around the pond to a depth of 80 ÷ 100 mm, and then fill the resulting depression with fine gravel or expanded clay.

The simplest option - instead of concreting, the pit of the reservoir can be covered with a special dense plastic film, which is fixed along the edges of the pit with stones. This version of the reservoir is much easier to make, but in order to pump water out of it, and this will have to be done quite often, you will have to purchase a special drainage pump.

wooden box

Another arrangement option can be a polypropylene finished container, which can be multi-stage or have the same depth in the middle and closer to the edges. The tank is also installed in a pit prepared for it, it can be connected to the sewer, or the water can be pumped out using a pump. This option can be called the most convenient, but, however, quite expensive for the price.

Ash baths

Since ducks are kept on the floor, it is periodically necessary to arrange an ash or sand-ash bath for them. This will require an open box with a size of 1250 × 1700 mm and a height of approximately 200 ÷ 250 mm.

To carry out this procedure, the box is filled by ⅔ with a mixture made of ash and sand, taken in a 1: 1 ratio. Then it is installed on the paddock or in the poultry house.

Ash baths should be carried out once every three to four weeks, or even the box should be left at the complete disposal of the birds. The mixture of ash and sand in this case must be changed once a month. When replacing the mixture, the box must be thoroughly disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Nests for laying eggs

Nests are necessary for ducks with constant egg production so that they can lay eggs in a calm environment. Such nests are made of bars and boards, sheathing their side walls with plywood. The floor of nest boxes rises above the ground by about 100÷120 mm and consists of boards fixed at a distance of 5÷8 mm from each other. Insulation material is laid on the boards - it can be hay, straw or large sawdust. In the future, the duck herself, before laying, will try to create comfortable conditions for the eggs, and then for the ducklings, warming the nest with down. In such conditions, she will feel warm and safe.

The size of such nest boxes is usually 250×350×400 mm (width, height, depth). The front part of the nest box is equipped with a small threshold, 50 ÷ 60 mm high - it is necessary so that the eggs cannot roll out. The nests in the poultry house should be half as many as the ducks, for example, 4 ÷ 5 nests will be required for 8 birds.

These devices are usually mounted in a complex of two or three pieces and installed along the walls, away from the entrance and from the feeders, so that the nests are not affected by the draft in any way, and there is no fuss around the masonry.

It should be noted that if it is not possible to make boxes for nests, then it is quite possible to adapt strong carton boxes, baskets or even plastic basins.

In the event that ducks of meat breeds are purchased that lay eggs seasonally, they will not need to build nests for them.

So, due to the fact that ducks are hardy and unpretentious, any site owner, even one who does not have experience in poultry farming, can start breeding them. However, you should not buy a large number of ducklings at once - it is better to try to start with 5 ÷ 8 pieces, since it is possible that such an amount will seem too much due to inexperience.

Indo-ducks or Muscovy ducks are quiet and picky birds. That is why many breeders choose this particular productive breed. Are there any features in their content and how to equip a room for Indoutok - we suggest talking about this!

Quite a lot has already been said about the unpretentiousness of Indoutok. However, for their comfort, some minimal modest conditions are also needed, and, of course, it is necessary for birds to create them. Be sure to remember that the Indian is from warm South America, and therefore does not always tolerate severe frosts well. Despite the fact that ducks are waterfowl, preferring to spend most of their time on the run and near water bodies, they need a warm room. Otherwise, even undemanding Indians can get sick and even die.

Floor and walls

Considering that Indoutok must be protected from hypothermia, a warm floor is one of the main conditions. The warmest and most environmentally friendly material for the floor is wood. However, this raw material is also perishable, especially given the dampness that duck droppings will produce. However, you should not completely abandon the wooden floor. You can raise the floor from the ground by 10-15 cm, cover it with boards, and put, say, old linoleum on top. It will protect the tree from unnecessary moisture.

The floor can also be made of concrete. But in this case it will be cold enough and you will need a solid layer of bedding so that the paws of your Indoutok do not get cold. The walls must also be insulated. For this, any organic material is used: sawdust can be poured into the wall, mineral wool or polystyrene can be used. However, cotton wool or polystyrene must be hidden in the space between the walls, so the walls are lined with clapboard or chipboard from the inside.

If your poultry house is brick, then it is advisable to insulate the walls from the outside with foam plastic and paint from the inside. If the winter in your area is frosty, the room with the Indochki will need additional heating.

nests

If you plan to breed Muscovy ducks, then, of course, you can’t do without nests in this case. Nests for Indoutok are placed on the floor away from aisles or overly lit places. Remember that Indian birds are meek and shy and require solitude and peace during incubation or laying eggs. And also darkness, so if your house is heavily lit, artificially create shadow zones in it and place the nests there. This should be done around the end of winter, it is from this period that the breeding season starts for Muscovy ducks.

There are no strict requirements for what nests should be. Anything can be adapted for these purposes: old boxes, boxes, baskets, flasks, old dog kennels. You can put together a nest of their slats or tesa, it is desirable that it has a threshold to hold the masonry and a roof, so the bird will be calmer. Inside, the structure should be carefully lined with straw, and the duck will report down itself. The number of nests should correspond to the number of birds, so there will be no disputes and fights between females.

Drinkers and feeders

Of course, no poultry house is complete without drinkers and feeders. There is nothing special in the designs for drinking and feeding Indoutok.

You can use wooden long feeders - troughs installed along the walls of the house or walking area, or make feeders from plastic bottles. Drinking bowls can be very diverse: purchased or made independently.

For example, consider an autodrinker from plastic bottle or banks. Of course, a simple basin of water will also work. However, remembering ducks' addiction to water, do not count on the fact that the water in it will remain clean for at least half a day. In this case, nipple drinkers are a way out of the situation, the water in them is always clean. Useful video for everyone, or just planning it, next!

We make a nest of Indo-outka

Making nests for Indo-outs with your own hands is simpler and now you will see for yourself.

Tools and materials

We suggest paying attention to the construction of wood, for sure, slats or tes can be found in everyone's household.

So get ready:

• wooden slats or just any pieces of wood and bars in the amount of 4 pieces;
• nails or screws;
• measuring tape, hammer and saw;
• straw for filling.

Step-by-step instruction

1. First of all, let's decide on the size. Optimum dimensions of the nest for Indoutka: 400 x 500 x 250 mm.
2. Sort the slats and cut them according to the indicated dimensions. Any softwood, chipboard or OSB can be used.
3. Knock down the slats or wood between each other, using the bars as supports.
4. Make a threshold and leave enough space for the hole so that the bird can safely enter the nest, but so that not much light gets there.
5. Place the nest in a dark corner, cover the bottom with plenty of bedding. And on top, put either a piece of chipboard or a piece of slate so that the nest has a roof. The main thing is that it is stable and does not fall on the bird.

Arrange jacks for indo very simple!

Domestic indochki are attractive primarily because they are in terms of breeding and rearing.

At the end of February, domestic Indian women begin to show sexual activity, flirt with drakes. This means that the egg-laying period will soon come, and you will need jacks for indo.

In principle, for any bird, the requirements for a nest are the same:

• the nest must be in a dry place,
• it is advisable to place the nest not on the aisle, but somewhere in the shade, where there is less movement.
• it is good to send a nest of medium length with straw; hay is not suitable for this purpose.

This is General requirements to bird nests. There are some peculiarities for Indians.

Indochka herself chooses a place for future egg-laying. According to our observations, she needs:

• silence,
• peace of mind, no one else should claim her place, chickens, other ducks
• darkness, the Indian woman chooses places that are poorly lit.

If such places are not arranged for the female in advance, so that she has a choice long before the laying, she will find a place on the side, outside the poultry house.

It will quietly “disappear” from time to time, and then disappear for a long time, more precisely for a month, and even a little more. Or at all, if it becomes a victim of a passing dog or fox. And even if the poultry yard is completely isolated from uninvited guests, it is still not convenient to look after the nest and the future mother.

Although she is an independent lady, a little master's participation is required. In a word, it is necessary to make such nests that the Indian mother will definitely like.

How to make indo sockets?

In principle, any box is suitable, such as, for example, designs, this is, let's say, an academic version, in life we ​​use everything that looks like this design.

Sometimes Indians themselves "suggest" what they would like to see in the idea of ​​nests. Our task is to listen to our pets, the more the duck likes the place, the better it will sit, and, accordingly, the better it will sit out the kids.

The duck liked the old doghouse, the booth is idle, the duck “looked after”, we don’t mind - we just moved it to the poultry house, for safety, in the hope that moving the house would not spoil the matter, the expectant mother agreed.

An old iron barrel was lying in the backyard, I hear something rustling inside, so purely by chance I discovered a young Indian woman who liked such an exotic place. They also transferred it to the poultry house, the neck in the barrel is narrow, probably attracted by the isolation of the space. Already sat down to incubate in a barrel;)

Where to place indo sockets?

An important point - the nests are on the floor, but! Indo-ducks fly excellently, their paws are adapted to sit on branches, and often climb into nests for chickens, which we have located at a height of 1 m from the floor.
If we use ordinary boxes, it is important to provide a partition between the nests so that the mothers do not see each other.

How many nests do you need?

We equip in the amount, how many ducks we have on the farm. So that everyone has their own place and the mothers do not quarrel.

According to our observations, it is optimal if the nests are offered in different rooms, for example, in a barn for other animals, in another poultry house, in general, in the hope that the ducks will sit in different rooms. What for? So that they don’t see the hatched ducklings from other indo-mothers.

But I will write about these subtleties separately.

In a word, nest preparation is a crucial moment, and, moreover, a creative process! ;)

While considering how to do jacks for indo, in the next publication I will tell you how to properly seat a duck, whether it is worth picking up eggs, how to ensure optimal incubation for mother. We love them very much, so we can talk about them endlessly!

On our website there is more information about the breeding and maintenance of indoutok:

Indo-ducks are also known to poultry farmers as musky ducks and in recent times gaining popularity among poultry farmers. This is primarily due to the unpretentiousness of these birds. However, when breeding them, care must be taken that each female has a comfortable enough nest so that she can safely carry and incubate eggs.

Otherwise, the Indian woman can find herself appropriate place outside the poultry house, which may result in danger to the bird and its offspring. Even if the duck finds a safe place on its own, it will not be convenient for the poultry farmer to look after it.

To avoid these worries and inconveniences, you need to find a suitable nest for the bird, or make it yourself. How to do this and what requirements the desired nest must meet is written below.

breeding process Muscovy ducks in our latitudes begins around the end of February. At this time, there should be a drake in the house, which can fertilize all the ducks. Birds will start laying eggs around the beginning of April. Consequently, for more than a month they will look for a suitable place for themselves. At this time, you should carefully monitor their behavior.

Duck with ducklings in the nest

Indian women can choose their own shelter. It can be a box, a basket, an empty barrel, or some other container. In this case, it may be enough to simply transfer the object chosen by the bird to the house. If your wards do not show preferences for existing "nests", you will have to make them yourself.

Nest requirements

Nests indoutok first of all must meet the same requirements as for all poultry. These include:

• The nest must be dry and well ventilated;
• The place should be quiet and calm so that the bird does not experience anxiety;
• There should be enough in the nest deep litter from straw or sawdust so that the duck can dig a recess in it and lay it down. You should not lay out the floor with hay, as in the dark it retains moisture;
• A certain thermal insulation must be provided, the absence of drafts and sudden changes in temperature.

Muscovy duck nests have additional requirements. They are connected with the fact that these birds tend to incubate eggs in solitude and tranquility. Therefore, it is better not to put nests close to each other. The duck also needs privacy for another reason: if other ducklings get to it during incubation, then it may mistakenly start taking care of them.

Bird nests

In this case, the bird may abandon its nest, which will lead to the death of the offspring. Therefore, it is good if the nest has a threshold. It will also keep the eggs from rolling out of the clutch. There must be a source of water nearby. The distance should be such that the duck can drink and bathe without going too far from its nest. You should also keep in mind that ducks prefer dimly lit places to lay their eggs.

materials

In principle, the nest for an indochka can be made of any material, especially if the bird itself shows interest in it. Suitable tin containers or barrels, cardboard boxes, wicker baskets. But if there is a need to make a nest with your own hands, then building materials made of wood, such as croaker, boards or plywood, are best suited. If there are not enough boards, then the roof and walls can be made from other materials.

The main requirements are imposed on the floor of the nest. It should provide sufficient thermal insulation and not be too rigid. The second requirement is related to the fact that ducks may try to bury the eggs in the litter and break them. It should be remembered that the tree will quickly deteriorate from bird droppings. Therefore, it is better to put an additional insulating layer of linoleum on top.

Nest made of wooden planks

Nest dimensions

The ideal design of the nest for indouts with all sizes is shown in the drawing. However, in each case, the dimensions may differ. So if you need to provide a large number of birds with a place for incubating eggs, then it makes no sense to calculate their sizes to the nearest millimeter.

Depending on the size of the duck itself, the length of the nest can vary from 40 to 50 cm, the width - from 30 to 40 cm, and the height should be 25-30 cm. The dimensions of the entrance should first of all allow the bird to freely enter and exit. The entrance or other opening should allow easy and quick change of bedding.

It is best to make separate nests for each individual, but if there are too many ducks, then several nests can be made at once in one building. In this case, the dimensions are summed up. It is necessary to make strong partitions between them so that the birds see each other less often and do not conflict. Otherwise, they may inadvertently break their eggs.

Nest design

How to place the manufactured nests?

When the nests for the indoo are ready, place them in the house according to the requirements described above. The main requirements should be considered silence and the greatest possible privacy. Do not put them all in one corner of the house. It is better to place them in different rooms in general, such as sheds or barns for other pets.

Ducks are pretty good at flying wild environment can be placed on tree branches. But it is better to install the nests on the floor or at a small height from it, against the wall. It is better to turn them with a side or back wall towards the entrance so that the birds do not see the owner when entering the room. It is necessary to maintain a certain distance to the feeder and drinker so that there is no turmoil near the nest. Darkness is also very important. It does not have to be absolute, but the absence of bright light must be ensured.

Duck with ducklings in the duck house

Further duck care

After the Muscovy duck has looked after its nest, it begins to rush. She will begin to incubate eggs when there are about two dozen of them. At this time, it is necessary to regularly change the litter, but do not disturb the duck and do not take the eggs from the clutch. If the bird notices your manipulations, it may stop rushing for a while or leave the nest altogether. Incubation of eggs will take about 35 days.

At this time, eggs of other indoutas or even birds of a different breed can be laid in the masonry. During this period, it is especially important to provide the duck with food and water so that it does not have to leave the clutch for a long time. If everything goes well, then in a little over a month the ducklings will hatch, and it will be necessary to take care of them. But this is a topic for a separate article.

Domestic ducks fall into three categories:

• meat;
• meat and egg;
• egg.

For keeping ducks at home are recommended meat breeds. They give a lot of healthy and tasty meat, and at the same time they do not often rush. Duck eggs are a separate issue. They are not used in cooking, because of the specific taste. But since the ducks are laying, something needs to be done with the eggs. Breeders usually allow them to increase the number of individuals. This allows you to get several times more meat.

• Beijing- very profitable, as it eats everything - from offal to algae without losing the taste of meat. Drakes weigh up to 4 kg, females - up to 3.5 kg. Resistant to most bird diseases, do not get sick with frost.
• black white breasted is a hybrid bred specifically for cool regions. The drake weighs 4 or more kilograms, and the female - 3.5 kg. They differ in fatty and tender meat.
• Moscow white impressive in size. The male reaches 5 kg, and the female - 4.5 kg. They have delicious meat.

What should be the room?

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• The place is selected not swampy, without water. This bird loves to swim, but lives on land.
• The area of ​​the room is selected according to the number of birds and additional equipment. Feeders and drinkers, nests will take at least 2 square meters. m. premises. And for 1 sq. m. you can accommodate no more than 3 individuals.
• In extreme cases, the walls are left bare, but over time it is recommended to insulate them with plywood or foam.
• The floor must be covered with bedding. The latter should absorb moisture well. It can be peat, sawdust or straw. It is most advantageous to use peat bedding. It absorbs moisture 2 times better than sawdust or straw, and is also able to absorb the ammonia smell from the decay of duck excrement. The litter is changed in winter 2 or 3 times a month, and in summer 1-2 times.
• Heating is not as important as for another poultry, but the cold can affect the growth of meat. In winter, the house should be at least -5 degrees Celsius. It is easier to measure with a thermometer hung indoors. You can heat the duck house with a potbelly stove, batteries, a heater. The main thing is to isolate the heat source from the bird. Additional heating is provided by bedding, which is poured in a thick layer of 30 cm in winter.
• Lighting is necessary. Any lamp will do, the main thing is that it does not shine brightly.
• Ventilation must be done in any way possible. But it is important to ensure that there are no drafts.

How to arrange nests?

Birds do not need perches, but nests are another matter. If keeping ducks at home involves regular slaughter, you can not make nests, but if you need to get high-quality eggs from a bird or that they hatch them, it is recommended to make nests.

The number of nests can be made small, as a rule, two ducks can get along on one. Sizes convenient for a bird: 60-70 - width, 25 - height, 10 - threshold height. You can make nests from any material at hand: a wooden box, an old barrel made of wood or metal, plastic containers, pallets, baskets, and so on.

Inside the nest is filled with bedding, which needs to be changed from time to time. Nests should be placed at a short distance so that the “neighbors” cannot pinch each other. They are usually placed in a row against the side wall or in the corner of the room so that they are hard to see. Birds do not like to be seen while incubating their eggs. Feeders and drinkers are located nearby so that the females do not go far from the nests.

What should be walking ducks?

Walking is not done by all breeders, but it is highly recommended, especially if there is a river, lake or any other body of water nearby. Birds will be able to swim, pluck the cassock and grass. This is not only beneficial for their body, but also beneficial for the breeder, because they will receive half of the daily ration on the paddock.

It is recommended to make a spacious aviary, when keeping ducks at home, possibly with basins filled with water (ideally with a pond). From the hot sun in summer, it is recommended to provide a canopy or the presence of a permanent shadow from the fence, poultry house, trees.

What to feed ducks?

Feeders and drinkers can be made independently or purchased ready-made. They are made from different material(plastic, metal, wood). Clean - regularly. If the drinker is large, it is difficult to wash it well. Therefore, for prevention, once every 2 weeks you need to douse it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Different breeds of ducks can eat high-quality or just pasture. But no matter what features they have in terms of favorite delicacies, they all need to eat a certain amount of ordinary food per day.

• From cereals, barley, legumes, millet, oats, corn are recommended. This is the basis of the diet and its main component.
• Greens (clover, alfalfa, elodea, ryast) - necessary for the formation of immunity.
• Vegetables - pumpkin, zucchini, cabbage, carrots, boiled potatoes, are grated. Recommended as the main source of vitamins.

In addition, if possible, cake, meal, bone flour, milk.

You need to feed the birds 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, if there is a paddock. If they are locked in the house, feeding increases up to 4 times throughout the day. In winter, when there is little greenery, they are fed only 2 times: in the morning with a mash, and in the evening with grain.