Duck Tubes/Hen Houses

Good morning everyone!


I noticed a lack of ducks recently up near the property where I hunt (on the Trent, near Campbellville) and thought about perhaps helping them out with some Delta Waterfowl style duck tubes. It seems like they're a successful design and wanted to share.

P.S.: If anyone is nearby and wants to make a day of it and pool resources, let me know!

https://deltawaterfowl.org/hen-houses/

https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/waterfowl/video-how-to-make-and-place-a-henhouse-with-delta-waterfowl

I built 6 hen houses according to the Delta specs. I have them in a marsh (near Roseneath) where both mallards and teal have nested for years. They have been up for 3 years, and yes I did refresh them annually and reapplied the outer grass shell last year. So far, not one has been nested in. I did contact Delta to see what I was doing wrong, they couldn't come up with an answer. So, if you get it figured pout, let me know the secret!

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Originally Posted by manyo

Good morning everyone!


I noticed a lack of ducks recently up near the property where I hunt (on the Trent, near Campbellville) and thought about perhaps helping them out with some Delta Waterfowl style duck tubes. It seems like they're a successful design and wanted to share.

P.S.: If anyone is nearby and wants to make a day of it and pool resources, let me know!

https://deltawaterfowl.org/hen-houses/

https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/waterfowl/video-how-to-make-and-place-a-henhouse-with-delta-waterfowl

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Hen houses/tubes in Southern Ontario aren’t all that successful as nesting cover is not a limiting factor for Mallards. The key factor is small pair habitat wetlands — 0.5 - 1 acre in size. This is what makes more ducks.

Mallards will nest anywhere — in a cover crop field, in tall grass or in your raised garden beds in your backyard. I’d suggest that what you’re seeing is natural cycling/intermittent habitat use throughout the years.

-Nick

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Originally Posted by Ouzel

I built 6 hen houses according to the Delta specs. I have them in a marsh (near Roseneath) where both mallards and teal have nested for years. They have been up for 3 years, and yes I did refresh them annually and reapplied the outer grass shell last year. So far, not one has been nested in. I did contact Delta to see what I was doing wrong, they couldn't come up with an answer. So, if you get it figured pout, let me know the secret!

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There are a few reasons as to why they may or may not be working. If you have duck successfully nesting in the area what they are doing is already successful so no need to change. Waterfowl are creators of habit. If something works they stick with it. Generally hen houses work better out of site of other hens houses. If they are also located in area's with a lot of natural cover mallards might choose to go that route. Hopefully this little bit of info helps. If a mallard jumps in that hen house it is much more likely to produce ducklings.

If there not working in the area you selected perhaps shift them and try a new spot. Keep em out though!! Once a mallard uses it successfully we will be back and using it again the following year.

I think they are a great idea and should put them out, but like SPRITE said mallards will nest anywhere, whether it is a better spot or not. They seem to like front yards around my place under a shrub, where the cats can get at them. Too bad they don't wise up and us the houses as they are a much better idea than under a shrub.