How to Make a Small Outside Duck Pen

Whether raising ducks as food or pets, they require a secure place to keep them safe at night. If built well, a small outside duck pen can provide warmth, shade and protection from predators. Such a pen may take some planning and work, but the ducks will surely appreciate the effort.

Things You'll Need

6 posts, 4 inches in diameter and 5 1/2 feet long
Cord or staple gun
Wire mesh
4 2-inch by 2-inch pieces of lumber, 4 feet long
2 2-inch by 2-inch pieces of lumber, 3 feet long
2 2-inch by 8-inch pieces of lumber, 3 feet long
Nails
8 corner braces
2 hinges
1 latch
River rock or stones

Instructions

- 1
  Drive the posts into the ground. Place three posts down each side, 3 feet apart, to form a rectangle. At least 1-1/2 feet of each post should be underground, leaving 4 feet above ground.
- 2
  Attach the wire mesh. Staple the mesh to the posts on both long sides and one shorter end of the pen using a staple gun or cord. To prevent animals from digging under the fence, bury the wire mesh at least 1 foot underground. To keep predators from flying or jumping into the pen, cover the top of the pen with wire mesh as well.
- 3
  Make a gate for the open side of the pen. The gate should be 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. Use two 2-inch by 2-inch by 4-foot pieces of lumber for the sides, a 2-inch by 2-inch by 3-foot piece for the top, and a 2-inch by 8-inch by 3-foot piece for the bottom. Nail the four pieces of wood together, forming a rectangle.
- 4
  Nail corner braces on all four corners of the gate.
- 5
  Repeat this process to form a second identical gate frame. Place wire mesh between the two frames. Nail the two frames together.
- 6
  Affix two hinges on the outer-facing side of the gate. Attach the other end of the hinge to the post. Install the latch on the opposite side.
- 7
  Place stones along the edge of the fence to further deter animals from digging under the fence.