Monday, December 29, 2014

Develop A Duck Nesting Box

A duck nesting box will attract ducks to your land every mating season. Ducks are always looking for a safe place to lay their eggs and raise their young. As long as you keep the box clean and mounted securely it will be occupied during the warm months. Follow these steps to build a duck nesting box.


Instructions


1. Use the straight edge, measuring tape and a pencil to cut the wood to the following dimensions and number them as specified for easy reference: Back (1) 31 inches by 9.25 inches, Side (2) 23.5 inches by 9.25 inches, Floor (3) 7.75 inches by 9.25 inches, Front (4) 23.5 inches by 9.25 inches, Roof (5) 14 inches by 9.25 inches and Door (6) 23.5 inches by 9.25 inches.


2. Secure the back (1) to the side piece (2) with wood screws drilled into the back of the duck nesting box. Using the drill and the 1/2-inch bit make holes in the floor (3) to help drain the duck nesting box during rain. Secure the floor using four screws, inserting two in the back piece and two through the side piece.


3. Make an entry hole in the front piece (4) using the jig saw. Make score marks on the other side of the front piece using your handsaw. This will assist the ducklings to climb out when they are ready. Use six wood screws to secure the front to the rest of the nesting box.


4. Round off the top edge of the clean-out door (6). Fasten the clean-out door at the top using one screw in the front and one screw in the back. This will form a hinge allowing the door to open. Keep it shut with a nail hammered in the front.


5. Put on the roof (5) by drilling four screws in the front and three screws in the back. Add shavings of wood for nesting in the box. Don't use sawdust as it will suffocate the ducks.


6. Install the nesting box on a dead tree in or on the water's edge. The tree must be solid. You can use a live tree but make sure you check your nesting box regularly to make sure that it is still mounted securely.