Specifications for Wood Duck Box Construction

Diagram (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Materials

• Rough cut cypress boards 1" thick are preferred, but cedar, yellow pine, or exterior plywood are acceptable substitutes.  DO NOT use treated lumber.
• Weather resistant latch on the side flap that opens for maintenance
• Zinc coated 1 ½" inch wood screws
• ½" wire mesh, 4 ½"  wide, from bottom of box to front hole, on inside of box, to allow ducklings to climb up and escape
• See figure

Sides (10" wide)

• One side with pivoting flap
• Flap beveled for opening 8 ½" above the bottom
• Flap beveled at top
• Pivot screws 16" above the bottom
• Use countersunk wood screws

Bottom

• Recessed at least 1/4" with five holes at least 3/8" diameter for drainage

Top (12" wide)

• Overhang front by 1 ½"
• Use countersunk wood screws
• Bevel back cut to match back board

Front (12" wide)

• Opening cut 3" high by 4" wide
• Opening 4" from top of front board
• Use countersunk wood screws
• Bevel top cut to match top board

Back (12" wide)

• Leave 2" above and below for mounting to post with lag bolts
• Use countersunk wood screws

Predator Guard

• Use 29 gauge aluminum flashing or galvanized metal, 36" wide
• See figure for specifications on inverted cone design

Post

• Pressure treated 4" by 4" wooden post, various lengths depending on water depth