Keeping ducks out of hen pen

[jessmorris]

Hello folks,
some neighbouring Muscovy ducks are getting into my hen pen and being a nuisance. How can keep them out?My pen is fenced to 6foot 6 but they just fly right over the top. I thought I'd put a top on the hen pen, and fence off all four sides to make a sub pen for food and water. If I make a pop hole about 4 feet up,with a thin branch ramp to it. I'm hoping the bantams can get up and through, but the much bigger ducks can't. What do you think?.
cheers Jess

[kathyd]

What a pain! I didn't know Muscovies were such good fliers, they're big birds aren't they? I assume your neighbour can't or won't clip their wings to stop them flying - s/he does know they're being a nuisance?

I wonder whether making a criss-cross web with string or wire across the top of your chicken run would help? Make it much harder for the ducks to fly in over the top? You could even try adding pretty dangly things like CDs or ribbons, like some people do to deter birds on their veggie plot. Or strips of debris netting? Assuming your run is of a manageable size of course, and doesn't cover half an acre or something...

I wonder if they'll get the message eventually and leave you alone, or just keep on trying...?

[Guest]

How much do you like your neighbour? Christmas is coming - I don't know if muscovy make very good eating

I don't know how persistent they would be if you covered the enclosure. Do they only come in for the food or do they just tend to mull about in, around etc.? If its food try changing your feeding times and break the routine if pos. or a covered feeding bowl. I have some runs covered and it wasn't an issue to do it but where there's a will there's a way. So lots of running maintenance on dealing with weak points.

[jessmorris]

Ho ho, the Muscovies look darned tasty to me, but as their owner is letting me keep my hens in her fruit garden free of charge I have to merely admire their shining feathers and athleticism! I reckon I have a few options, either keep them out of the pen completely, or feed the hens in a way that the ducks can't access the food. Can ducks walk up narrow ramps, or round branches? If I can corral the food and water into a separate pen accessible through a tiny, high pophole from a narrow wobbly branch, will this keep them out? they're handsome devils but greedy and messy. my hens are bantams, so no match for them.
J

[jessmorris]

PS my run is quite big - 3.5 Heras panels x 1.5 Heras panels, so it would be expensive to cover the lot. Hence my plan to construct a smaller feed compartment. Oh, its all so complicated!

[Nicos]

Gosh, I've no idea, but just wanted to say it's nice to see you again!

I like your idea about a restricted feeding area...that's exactly what we did to keep our geese away from the hen's feed.
Are they bothering your chooks by chasing them or feather tugging...if so I'd be tempted to make more of a larger refuge / feeding area so they have a duck free zone if they prefer.

I imagine the sloppy poops aren't very welcome either?
Debris netting might be the way to go over the top.....can you get hold of some old damaged ones?

[Scarlet]

Are they really flying up and over or do they use the top of the fence panel as a perch? If it's the latter, run a line of loose string across the top, so they can't get to perch on it before flying over.

....and where have you been?

[jessmorris]

Hello both, thanks for your welcome, and comments!
The ducks perch on the top of the fence, suss out where the food is, then launch themselves downwards towards it. They don't bother the hens actively but the banties do scoot out of their way pretty sharpish. They do cr*p everywhere which is most unsavoury, particularly as I've just spent £100 on new wood chip for the pen floor!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[jessmorris]

PS What's debris netting?

[Scarlet]

Debris netting is the stuff that scaffolders use. You can buy it online.
When I used panels for one enclosure, the string method worked to keep my chickens in. You can also use that plastic builders fencing to string around (they won't get tangled in that) if they can't land on the fence it's unlikely they will get in.

[jessmorris]

Hmm. Food for thought with the string to stop em perching. there's not much upright post on the Heras panel to tie string to but I can try. reckon it will have to be something I can put some tension into though - wire I think. they are HEAVY ducks!

[Scarlet]

You need something loose and floppy, something that they can't try to perch on but also something that they won't get tangled in. Nail some upright battens across the fence and string it between them.

[jessmorris]

I'll have a think scarlet. the heras fences are metal so nailing is out...BTW, just heard that a neighbour, who has already complained of our 'unsightly' fences, has now reported us to the environmental health dept for our crowing roosters. he's a complete PITA, so any ideas/inspiration folks. he's caused more bad feeling in a year than anyone else in 20!

[frias]

No idea how to keep ducks out but if they can get in with your hens what's to stop foxes getting in?