There is no denying that ducks can be an adorable pet to have – but that begs the question of how and where to house them. Even if you love nature, you can’t just stick a few ducks and ducklings in your yard and let them roam free, lest they fly away or, worse, are caught by predators. Many people keep them in an outdoor cage, and that remains one of the easiest and most viable methods of keeping ducks.
But what if you want to keep them indoors? All ducks need time outdoors, of course, as they won’t be happy being inside 24/7, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t set up an indoor cage that you can use when you bring them inside occasionally.
Here, then, is what to look for in a good duck cage along with a selection of the best indoor duck cages on the market.
What to Look for
Rule #1 when selecting duck cages – be prepared for duck poop. If you’ve never owned ducks before, that may seem silly, but if you have raised them in the past, you know this is no joke. Ducks “go” quite a bit, and they make matters worse by flapping their wings and not caring what and where they scatter their scat. Unless you want your living room flecked with unmentionable messes, you need to plan early on where to place the cages (hint: not near anything valuable) and select cages that are easy to clean.
You also want to make sure the cage has plenty of compost, wood chips, or straw. Ducks are used to settling down on soft surfaces, and won’t be happy sitting on hard plastic all the time.
Ventilation is key. Your ducks don’t want to be trapped with the smell of waste or excess heat. That’s why you’ll see most duck cages are made at least partially of wired mesh that allows the air inside to emanate outward and fresh air to come in.
You also want to give some thought as to how your ducks are going to eat and drink while in the cage. Ideally, they should be able to access a feeder and water dispenser with ease. Adult ducks also like to be able to dip their heads in water to feel refreshed (they are waterfowl, after all) so a water dish is also a good idea.
Finally, there are the size considerations. You don’t want to squeeze your duck into an inhumanely tiny cage where it has no room to move or stretch their wings. For an adult, you should plan on at least 4 x 6 ft. Keep in mind that this is per duck – don’t just cram four ducks into a 4 x 6 ft space and think that they have enough space. Even ducklings should have 1 to 2 sq ft of space.
Top Four Indoor Duck Cages
Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at four of the best indoor duck cages on the market and how they can help you house ducks big and small.
1. BestPet Enclosure Pet Playpen Exercise Pen
At 86.5 x 40.5 in., this is practically a palace for ducks. As long as you have a room big enough to handle it and keep it well-stocked with fresh food, water, and straw, your ducks should be extremely happy. The frame is made from sturdy stainless steel, while the roof is likewise sturdy.
It is also pretty easy to set up, and comes with an easy-to-follow instruction manual.
2. SongMics Large Indoor Playpen
This pen is technically intended for guinea pigs, but it can still work for ducklings for a few months until they get big enough to require a full-size duck cage. It boasts Oxford fabric, which is water resistant – definitely a plus when dealing with ducks. You can place a water bowl in this cage so they can stay refreshed without worrying about it soaking through. It also has non-slip pads, which can help protect your floor from scratching. It measures 48.4 x 24.8 in., giving your ducks plenty of room. The doors open downward into ramps, which can make it fun to watch ducklings enter and exit.
3. DEStar 71” x 30” Foldable Metal Coop Chicken Cage
This cage is technically meant to be used outdoors for chickens, but if you have a big enough indoor space, there’s no reason you can’t erect this little duck palace inside instead.
As indicated in the title, this model is both on the larger side at 71 x 30 in. and foldable, which is a huge plus for portability. It may be difficult to transport the whole thing in your car with it erected, but if you can transfer the ducks to a tinier travel cage, this model can fold up and be reassembled elsewhere. The structure is made from stainless steel, fixed plates, and spring hooks that help keep the cage stable. The fixed points in particular make it easy to assemble and disassemble.
4. Magshion Spacious Wooden Chicken Coop
As with the DEStar, this is another chicken coop that can be adapted to serve as an indoor duck cage. Like the DEStar, it requires a lot of space, measuring 20 x 45.7 in., but it uses that space well by giving the ducks not one but two stories worth of space in which to relax and play. This space is especially good for ducklings, who can climb up the little ladder or chase one another around the interior. The frame is made from sturdy pine wood paired with a metal mesh that encourages good airflow for ventilation.
Each of these cages and countless more like them have their own pros and cons. Some are more suitable for ducklings and smaller spaces, while others are better for full-grown ducks and larger populations. Whatever the age and size of your duck population, however, with the right attention to detail, these indoor duck cages can give your ducks a fantastic home away from home indoors.
