Editor’s note: The Wood Duck Society and Outdoor News staff agree that mounting wooden duck houses in trees poses an unnecessary risk to birds. Following the pole mounting procedure should reduce predation of common ducks by raccoons (and other predators) and ensure greater numbers of adolescent wood ducks.
The most common disadvantage of using wood to build duck houses is that if built poorly, they will only last a year or two before literally falling apart at the seams.
This is why Outdoor news recommends using cedar (rugged side out), overlaying and pitching the roof, nailing the bottom, blunting or pre-drilling and driving in all nails (Sheetrock screws work too), and using skinny grip or anchor cedar shake nails 2 1/2 inch long (except for attaching the spacer to the back wall where 1 1/2 inch nails are used).
Cleaning and availability
Since annual cleaning and inspection are an vital part of wooden duck projects, simple access is a must. Hinges augment costs, and houses with roofs that open for cleaning are not very sturdy. Additionally, the nesting material is long, sometimes hazardous, and extends from the top of the box to the bottom. A elementary side wall access door, pivoting on two nails, allows for convenient and secure side access and a much more sturdy box.
An additional advantage of side access doors is that they simplify installation. Note: Placing the cleaning/access door on the right side wall when viewed from the front of the house makes installation easier for right-handed people.
Efficiency
Traditional wooden duck house designs wasted some wood and created a real “monster” when it comes to carrying and mounting bulky animals. Female woodcocks, goldeneyes, and hooded mergansers prefer this cozy 8-by-8-inch box, which can make the boxes much lighter and easier to carry and install.
Duck safety
A 3-by-4-inch duck entrance hole and an 18-inch distance from the bottom of the duck entrance hole to the bottom of the coop (17-inch interior distance) are vital dimensions to deter raccoons and facilitate the hens or nesting hens survive an attack. Never add a perch in front of the house. Ducks don’t need it, and raccoons apply it for a better grip when attacking.
Installation
Choose a relatively open space to mount duck boxes on a pole. Point the boxes towards the open “flight lane” that the Woodies will most likely fly past and see the entrance from a distance. It achieves this goal by placing the boxes near or above water, and placing them close to places where the forests spend a lot of time. Don’t rule out sites near water. Early morning observations during the breeding season often reveal pairs of woodies searching favorite areas for nesting sites some distance from the nearest water. Since raccoons are known coastal predators, these more remote nesting sites may be less disturbed by raccoons.
Also, don’t worry about placing the nesting box close to your home or other human activity. Woodies and other cavity-nesting ducks are very tolerant of human entrances and exits.
Build your house using the relatively low pole mounting method also described in this issue.
Drawing details
1. Use a square to align the rear “hinge nail” with the front “hinge nail”.
2. Use a wood rasp to round the “finger groove.”
3. There are drain holes NO I recommend it in this house project.
Safety tips
1. Everyone in the woodworking area should wear safety glasses.
2. Adults should closely supervise the apply of all tools. Power saws should require hands-on adult supervision – if not actual apply by an adult.
Lumber
1. Use grade 3 cedar, rugged on one side.
2. Sides/front/back/floor 1 inch by 10 inches (actual 3/4 by 9 1/4).
3. Roof – 1 inch by 12 inches (actual 3/4 by 11 1/4 inches).
4. The rugged surface disappears on the finished house. One “side” will be sleek unless you create an even number of houses and change the direction of the cross cut.
Final remarks
1. Have you attached the 1⁄4 inch mesh exit ladder? (The stapler works great!)
2. Add 4 inches of cedar shavings as the nest base material.
MATERIAL SOURCES
Poles: Two-foot treated landscape timber (flat on both sides) from any lumber yard. Discarded steel road signs are sometimes available free of charge to highway department conservation groups.
Sheet metal cone cover: Use tin snips or give the pattern to a heating installation company.
Angle Support Brackets: Buy 1-inch steel straight angle brackets and bend them to a 40-degree angle.
For additional information, please visit the website www.woodducksociety.com
The Junior Pro team is intended for youth up to 18 years of age www.jrproteam.com
dressed www.outdoornews.com/Wood-Duck-Challenge/
