The All-Purpose Hoop House: Brooding, Gardening, Winter Prep, and More

While I love my ducks for the many, large, rich-tasting, delicious eggs they provide, anyone who knows me will tell you that I do not love or enjoy brooding waterfowl. It can be messy, stinky, gross, and time-consuming. But this year was a game-changer, and also got me started into keeping a couple of geese. I started brooding my waterfowl in a stock tank with many, frequent cleanings throughout the day. After a week or two I was ready to be done! The weather was decent, but on the cool side at night. I couldn’t move them outside yet, but I had a new unassembled hoop house in the garage that I’d picked up cheaply over the winter and it was blooming with new possibilities.

Setting Up The Hoop House

After assembling, anchoring with t-posts and modifying with fencing on the inside for protection against predators, I was able to brood my waterfowl in it. This was fantastic! I put down a thick bed of fresh shavings, a feeder and a few water bowls. The waterfowl could still spill a bowl and have plenty of other water available.  Being on the ground, any spilled water was quickly absorbed not leaving me with extra cleanup or smell. I could simply mix the shavings up and add more fresh, dry shavings to the top. This system was beneficial because it allows the composting to begin which can help keep the birds warm on cool nights. I added a little compost activator to help too.

Managing Temperature and Ventilation

Opening and closing the vent windows and ends allowed me keep the temperature adjusted nicely throughout the day and night. Watching the birds’ behavior told me if it was too warm, cold or in the Goldilocks zone of, “just right.” Some days I had to add a tarp over part of the top of the hoop house to add shade for them in the heat of the day. I just secured it on the inside over the frame with clamps as needed.  When they were old enough, about 4 or 5 weeks, I added a small pool for them. Again, since they were on well drained ground, spills and drainage weren’t an issue. I didn’t fill this as much as I would for my adult ducks, but the ducklings and goslings could still get some playtime in the shallow water without any extra mess.  I continued this until they were ready to move out with the other ducks.

Repurposing the Hoop House

When the hoop house was clear of ducklings, I used it to house some juvenile chickens, then turkeys. I didn’t need the small pool for the chickens or turkeys and had to continue to regulate the temperature with the vent windows and shade tarp, but it worked really well to allow these birds extra space while growing out. It also allowed me to continue adding shavings as they continued to poop. The end result was a nice spot for the fall chicken garden.

Extending the Growing Season

Now the fencing I added earlier to protect the brooding birds from predators will be keeping the birds out of the hoop house so the plants can grow undisturbed. I’ve taken the shade tarp off. With the cover over the hoop house I can extend the growing season for a the fall garden. I’ve planted sunflowers, squash, zucchini, radishes, kale, and amaranth for the birds.  I’d still like to get some peas and nasturtiums planted, but I’m running a little behind so we will see.

Plans for Winter

This winter, I plan to use the hoop house to give my waterfowl a warmer place to stay to help them access unfrozen water in their pool.  I may not be able to do that for the entire winter, but certainly can extend the amount of time they will have to swim and play versus if I did not use the hoop house. I’m sure if there is a warm area during the chilly winter days, the chickens will join them to enjoy some relaxing winter, “sauna time” too.

What other ways do you use hoop houses?  We’d love to know.