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How to Build a Duck House

Wood ducks naturally nest in tree cavities. Wood duck nest boxes can mimic the allure of a hollow tree for a pair of wood ducks looking for a home to raise a family. These houses offer the bird watcher or photographer an opportunity to observe these colorful birds and provide a benefit to the environment. The wood duck house is simple to build and is constructed out of a single piece of wood.

Things You'll Need

1-by-12-inch cedar board, 10 feet long
1 1/2-inch galvanized wood screws
Circular saw
Jig saw
Screwdriver or screw gun
Two hinges
Wood shavings

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 10-foot-long and 11 1/4-inch-wide cedar board into six pieces. The back is 32 inches long, two sides and a front are 24 inches long, the floor is 9 3/4 inches long and a roof is 16 inches long. Cut an oblong 3-by-4-inch access hole about 3 inches from the top of the front of the duck house. Use a circular, table or radial arm saw for the cuts, and a jig or sabre saw to cut the oblong access hole.
- 2
  Fasten the bottom and sides to the back of the wood duck house using 1 1/2 inch galvanized wood screws. Fasten the front to the sides and bottom using the same screws. Fasten the top to the back using two hinges. The hinged top provides access for cleaning the duck house. Use a screwdriver or screw gun to drive the screws. Place the screws about every 6 inches on each joint of the duck house.
- 3
  Paint or apply a waterproof finish to the exterior of the duck nest box if it is not made out of cedar wood. Ducks Unlimited does not recommend applying a finish to cedar wood duck nest boxes.

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