Hen House Quick Facts
Hen houses are installed over water in wetlands and work by providing a safe nesting location for certain species of ducks and by protecting them from predators and human impacts.
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Ducks using these structures have increase nesting success (from around 5% naturally in degraded areas to up to 80% with a hen house)
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Ducklings are born precocial (eyes open and able to feed themselves) and are encouraged out of the nest and into the wetland by their mother
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Ducklings do not need to travel from nest sites to the wetland so there's less risk predation or human impacts like vehicles
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When a hen successfully uses a hen house, she is likely to return year after yea
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If something happens to the hen, her offspring are also likely to return to the hen house for nesting
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Installation Guidelines
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Site Selection
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Choose a small wetland or pond without flowing water to reduce the risk of ice movement damaging the structure.
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Because hen ducks are territorial, install only one hen house per small wetland and position it out of sight from others.
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Open wetlands (those not surrounded by tall trees or dense vegetation) are generally preferred by upland nesting ducks.
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The nesting basket should be positioned 3–8 feet above the water surface, so select a site with appropriate water depth to achieve this height.
Installation
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The easiest time to install is during frozen conditions, which allows safe access and easier pole installation. Hen houses can also be installed in open water by wading or from a boat.
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Pound the support pole firmly into the wetland bottom using a post pounder until stable and secure.
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Align the adjustable holes on the pole so that the cradle (support arm) holds the nesting basket perpendicular to the prevailing wind.
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Insert the cradle into the pole and secure it with the pin.
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Attach the nesting basket to the cradle using wire or UV-resistant zip ties.
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Fill the basket about two-thirds full with hay or long grass, ensuring you can see completely through the basket (a clear opening helps attract hens).
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While ducks tolerate slight movement, you can add shims where the cradle meets the pole to minimize swaying in windy locations.
Annual Maintenance
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Replace nesting material each year before the nesting season (typically early April).
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If hens have nested, they may peck holes in the roof and compress the nesting material. Use a paint stick or broom handle to push in more hay between the metal layers, or contact us for a replacement basket if needed.
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With proper installation and maintenance, hen houses can last 10 years or longer.
How our hen houses are built
Our hen houses are built through Montana Wetlands and Waterfowl’s (MTWW) hands-on educational programs with students and teachers across western Montana. Each structure represents a collaboration between schools, educators, and conservation partners.
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The nesting baskets are crafted by elementary school students, who learn about wetland ecology, waterfowl biology, and the importance of providing safe nesting habitat for ducks. The frames and stands are fabricated by students in Helena’s Capital High School Production Welding class, combining technical skills training with real-world conservation work.
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This collaborative approach not only produces durable, high-quality hen houses for local wetlands but also helps connect students to Montana’s natural heritage. By participating in every step—from learning about wetlands to building habitat structures—students see firsthand how their work supports wildlife and strengthens the ecosystems that make Montana so important for waterfowl.
