Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,051
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,407
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
4 members (Brandon Larson, Blestfarmpond, Layne, Angler8689), 634 guests, and 143 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#458218 10/26/16 08:32 AM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 28
F
Flame Offline OP
OP Offline
F
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 28
I just built and put up my first wood duck nesting box yesterday. It is mounted on a 4x4 wood post. My question is do I put wood shavings or chips in it now or wait until closer to spring? If the birds come when will they start checking the box out? Also I am having a hard time finding any 36 inch sheet metal to make a predator guard. Any suggestions?


Dear Alcohol, We had a deal where you would make me funnier, smarter, and a better dancer... I saw the video... We need to talk.
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
C
Offline
C
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
see this thread for more ideas and discussion with pictures.

Wood Ducks

The man who gave me his plans (linked in that thread too.) said they prefer aspen shavings over cedar, not sure why. He didn't mention when to put the shavings in though.

Sounds like other PB members had success attracting woodies with decoys.

i also see them always mounted low to the ground just above the pond water but in nature I understand they often are 15-20-30 feet up in the trees. I wonder if trying to mount a box higher in a stand of trees where there is some protection might work too?

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 4
Offline
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 4
Originally Posted By: Flame
I just built and put up my first wood duck nesting box yesterday. It is mounted on a 4x4 wood post. My question is do I put wood shavings or chips in it now or wait until closer to spring? If the birds come when will they start checking the box out? Also I am having a hard time finding any 36 inch sheet metal to make a predator guard. Any suggestions?


Scrap aluminum flashing if you can get it.

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1
Any HVAC contractor should be able to hook you up with what you need.


[Linked Image]
Be Brave Enough to Suck at Something New!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
W
Junior Member
Offline
Junior Member
W
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 5
Go ahead and put the wood shavings in now. Not more than 2 or 3 inches or some eggs will get lost in the shavings. A predator guard is a must. Also, the area inside below the opening must have a rough surface or 1/4" wire mesh attached for the ducklings to climb out. I just cut shallow slits with a skill saw. I do the same on the outside so the hen can grip on and look inside is the wood is smooth. They only do this when first investigating the house, once they are nesting they will fly right in. I'm always amazed they don't bust right out of the back of the house when coming in at full speed. I have 13 house now and I call them time share units as Screech Owls will use them in the winter. I always use cedar shavings, I've been told that cedar deters insects.

Attached Images
ducks.jpg
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 47
L
Offline
L
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 47
Agree with Woodster's comments above. I have 10 houses and the Woodies definitely utilize them, along with the occasional owl.
The houses require appropriate design, positioning and upkeep and there are lots of sources on the web that provide detailed information along those lines. I see definite increases in the Wood duck population as a result of placeing the houses on my lake and ponds. Have fun with it!
Here are two sources for Wood duck houses and pole guards that I found useful.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pr...CFQ6EaQodCosGDg

http://woodducknestboxes.com/duck.html

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
C
Offline
C
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 144
laxbro, can you give some advice on how I could use existing trees to mount rather than sinking poles in my pond? I see them mostly mounted on steel poles in the pond but we like to skate on the pond. I have a lot of trees right next to the pond. So how far into the tree line (back from the water edge and into the cover of trees?) do we mount the boxes? How high off the ground?

Then the challenge would be to protect from predators since they could easily climb the tree from under the duck box or perhaps even from above the box? How do you best protect a tree mounted box?

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 47
L
Offline
L
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 47
Most of the information regarding box placement suggests that placement on poles keeps predators from reaching the nest. Also, the boxes on poles makes it easier for maintenance, observation. As for putting the box over water- I don't think that's essential. The box on a pole needs to be in the correct habitat, near or very close to water, not neccessarily on it. My boxes are right on the waterline on the bank. The ducks still like it and it's easier to get to.

Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 47
L
Offline
L
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 47
Also, habitat is key regarding placement. The woody end of the lake is better, and with clear flight paths to the box opening is suggested. My boxes are mounted on 2 inch galvanized poles, on average 6 feet to the bottom of the box. I put the pole guards about a foot from the bottom of the box. My guards "swing" making them unstable when something attempts to climb over them.

Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934
Likes: 2
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,934
Likes: 2


Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by Rainman - 03/28/24 02:53 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by Mark Dyer - 03/27/24 10:18 PM
Reducing fish biomass
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:17 PM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:05 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:02 PM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by Bill Cody - 03/27/24 10:18 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by esshup - 03/27/24 08:47 AM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by esshup - 03/26/24 10:00 PM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5