How to Build a Wood Duck Box

Most ducks nest on the ground but Wood Ducks actually nest in trees. In this video, ISU Extension and Outreach wildlife specialist, Dr. Adam Janke, demonstrates how to build a box that mimics the natural cavities Wood Ducks look for to nest and raise their young.
Instructions: store.extension.iastate.edu/p...
Additional Resources: naturalresources.extension.ia...
To learn more about ISU Extension and Outreach, visit: extension.iastate.edu
00:00 Intro
00:35 Cutting the pieces
01:52 Assembly
02:30 Side access door
03:12 Prep for mounting
03:42 Logistics and placement
04:00 Mounting
04:32 Final checks

[@TequilaArtist]

Great video and great instructions. Awesome that you provided the PDF with all the measurements and instructions to do it yourself. This will be my first year to build and mount one. I just discovered that wood ducks even existed last year in this beautiful swampland that I have surrounding my property. Thank you very much!

[@chucksmith5002]

Nice Box

[@kalman9233]

Good😊👍

[@sawatson19]

I like your plan, especially the door. With your background as a Wildlife Specialist, what is your take on predation of WD boxes that have no predator guards installed? I'm getting ready to put out 4 boxes and going to a lot of trouble to prepare the poles and pred. guards because I am reading that the boxes are death traps for the hens without them.

[@ISUExtension]

Yes, predator guards on poles or even trees that the boxes are put on, are a great way to ensure the hens are safe and successful. I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely necessary to have a guard on each box, but where they are possible it’s a great idea. To learn more about the issue and some options, check out this great resource from Ducks Unlimited: www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/build-a-duck-box-predator-guard

[@peterchamales5088]

Can you give full dimensions of each piece. Would luv to build. Thanks

[@41084mort]

Is the watermark the dark grey circle in the instruction sheet for the hole?

[@jeffauld9549]

How far apart should Wood Duck boxes be placed? How many Wood Duck boxes could be placed around a 1 acre pond that is surrounded by trees? I’ve read they can be 30’ apart, while other sites suggest 600’. Thanks!

[@alann5762]

Mount boxes so they can not see one another is best chance for a successful nest. High density leads to "dump" boxes. I've seen as many as 78 eggs dumped in a box. :/

[@user-lm4nt7hr3u]

How high from the ground should you put your wood duck house?

[@ferengiprofiteer9145]

Cut my hole in plastic mailbox. Mounted to PVC over t-post. Pine needles best bedding.

[@redcanoe9810]

I don't understand cutting the top of the door at a 45? Wouldn't it work cut straight seeing you left a gap between the door and the top?

[@karscensutliff]

2 questions. How far down from the top of the front board do you measure for the entrance hole? And did you pre drill the holes before attaching each piece with screws?

[@Chris-nj1vv]

3 1/4 inch from top of hole to the top of the wood. You don't need to pre drill holes but it is easier if you do

[@ISUExtension]

We'd suggest you pre-drill all the holes for the screws to avoid cracking the wood. The top of the hole should be 3 1/4” down from the top of the front board piece. Check out the link in the video description for full instructions.

[@jimdomoradzki483]

Nice job. I've seen many wood duck nesting box plans. One improvement you can make is to cut 6 inches off the bottom of the door at a 45⁰ angle and attach it permanently at the bottom. This helps retain the nesting material when you open the door. The mounting location seems way to high as you must remember that the chicks will be free falling from the box because they can't fly yet. Several feet off the ground with a predator guard and even in the water is ok. Even in the water you need a predator guard because of water snakes in some areas.

[@rberling1]

@@jimdomoradzki483 Thanks for your comments. I would also put a handle or cleat on the door to make it easy to open. Just something to grab.

[@alann5762]

Very good point on predrilling the holes, especially with cedar. Dead center above the hole is a weak spot that likes to split. I do 4" of wood above the hole to minimize splitting.

[@wiesawszwedka845]

How big is hole ?

[@74stevedc]

Usually 3" tall 3 and half inch wide.

[@DoubleDoubleWithOnions]

What is the purpose of having the box so deep and making the chicks have to climb out?

[@ferengiprofiteer9145]

Out of coon reach.

[@carolync4806]

Where is the cut sheet?

[@uknowvideos]

Everything you'll need is on the links in the video description. Share a picture when you finish your box!

[@user-bi2ft2vt6v]

This is my mandarin duck

[@Hiperf]

Wouldn't the nails just fall out if they are that loose?

[@ISUExtension]

You want to make sure the nails fit snuggly in the hole you drill. It can help to drill the hole slightly shorter than the nail and then to hammer the nail the last ¼’ into the wood to make the hinge. The nails seem to stay in place well

[@RozArialind]

duck in a box

[@garzonlaperle9403]

I did it with the Woodprix plans.

[@estebanmiguel6019]

Please don’t screw large lag bolts into trees. A better method is using hardware on the box in order to utilize ratchet straps. Every year loosen them to compensate for increased tree girth.

[@davidgroff3355]

Use wood glue and nail gun it$$

[@alann5762]

Please do NOT mount boxes on trees as the Raccoons raid the nest and Squirrels take it over. Also there is a safety factor of using high mounted boxes - you can slip and fall, like what happened about 7 yrs ago in MN when a guy broke his back maintaining a box using his 14' extension ladder. There is zero need to do that. Instead mount it on a post at least 30' from trees and over hanging branches (so squirrels can not leap to the box). Then place a 3' dia cone shaped metal guard under the box, bottom edge at least 3' off of the ground. The guard stops 100% of the Raccoons, squirrels, mink, etc. from predating the nest and hen or squirrels from taking it over anf not allowing a hen to use it. Do a search for MWI (Maryland Wooduck Initiative) predator guards. The box hole should be at least 6' up from the ground. Per scientific studies, here is no difference in box use if the hole is 6' up, 9' up or 12' up. A simple 6' tall step ladder is all that should ever need to be used when installing or doing the yearly maintenance.