Mallard Duck House Plans

Mallard Duck House Plans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mallard ducks are a common sight in many parts of the world, and they can be a joy to watch. If you're thinking about attracting mallard ducks to your property, one of the best things you can do is build them a duck house.

Mallard duck houses are relatively easy to build, and they can provide a safe and comfortable place for the ducks to nest and raise their young. In this guide, we'll provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to build a mallard duck house, as well as detailed plans that you can use to get started.

Step 1: Choose a Location

The first step in building a mallard duck house is to choose a suitable location. The house should be placed in a quiet area that is close to water, such as a pond, lake, or river. The area should also be free from predators, such as raccoons, foxes, and coyotes.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

Once you've chosen a location, you'll need to gather the following materials:

1/2-inch plywood
2x4 lumber
Nails or screws
Wood glue
Sandpaper
Paint or stain (optional)
Hardware cloth
Straw or hay

Step 3: Cut the Wood

The next step is to cut the wood to size. You can use a saw or a power saw to do this. Here are the dimensions for the pieces of wood that you'll need:

2 pieces of plywood cut to 24 inches by 36 inches
2 pieces of 2x4 lumber cut to 30 inches long
2 pieces of 2x4 lumber cut to 24 inches long
1 piece of 2x4 lumber cut to 18 inches long
1 piece of hardware cloth cut to 12 inches by 18 inches

Step 4: Assemble the Duck House

Once you've cut the wood to size, you can start assembling the duck house. Here are the steps:

Attach the two pieces of 2x4 lumber that are 30 inches long to the two pieces of plywood, using nails or screws. These pieces will form the front and back of the duck house.
Attach the two pieces of 2x4 lumber that are 24 inches long to the front and back of the duck house, using nails or screws. These pieces will form the sides of the duck house.
Attach the piece of 2x4 lumber that is 18 inches long to the front of the duck house, using nails or screws. This piece will form the perch for the ducks to sit on.
Attach the piece of hardware cloth to the front of the duck house, using nails or screws. This will help to keep predators out of the duck house.
Fill the bottom of the duck house with straw or hay. This will provide a comfortable place for the ducks to nest and raise their young.

Step 5: Paint or Stain the Duck House (Optional)

Once you've assembled the duck house, you can paint or stain it to match the surrounding area. This is optional, but it can help to make the duck house more attractive.

Step 6: Place the Duck House

The final step is to place the duck house in the location that you've chosen. Make sure that the house is level and that it is securely anchored to the ground. You can use stakes or concrete blocks to anchor the duck house.

Conclusion

With a little time and effort, you can build a mallard duck house that will provide a safe and comfortable place for the ducks to nest and raise their young. We hope that this guide has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Happy duck watching!