- 1). Cut the six pieces required for each wood duck box using 1-inch by 10-inch cedar, this wood is naturally resistant to insects and weather. The sections are all the full width of the lumber. The back is 31-inches long, the side, clean-out door, and front sections are 23 ½ inches each. The back section is longer to allow the box to be attached to the pole or tree with screws above the roof and below the floor. Cut the floor section at 7¾-inches, and the floor at 14-inches. All of the pieces for the wood duck box will require 11-feet of 1-inch by 10-inch lumber.
- 2). Attach the side to the back section, leaving an equal amount of space at the top and bottom of the back piece (3 ¾-inches). Drive four screws from the outside of the back into the side section. Drill ½-inch drainage holes in the floor section and attach with screws to the side and back piece, using four screws, two through the back, and two at the bottom of the side section.
- 3). Draw a diagram for the opening in the front section 3 ¾ inches from the top. The opening will be 4½-inches wide by 3½-inches deep. Drill a hole in the center of the outlined opening and cut around the lines with a jigsaw. Cut shallow grooves with a circular saw horizontally on the inside of the front section for the ducklings to use to climb out of the finished wood duck box. Space the grooves about 1-inch apart.
- 4). Drive screws through the front sections into the side section and the floor. Use four screws to attach to the side and two screws to attach to the floor. Round off the top outside edge of the clean-out door with a sander or router to allow free movement of the door. Attach the clean-out door at the top, using one screw through the back and one through the front, these screws will become the hinges to allow opening of the door. Drill a hole at the bottom of the front section into the clean-out door. Use a nail as a removable pin to hold the clean-out door closed.
- 5). Attach the roof with screws to the back, front and side sections. Drive the screws downward through the top of the roof attaching it to the side and front. Drive screws from the outside back into the roof section. Use care not to run the roof screws into the clean-out door. Fill the wood duck box with wood shavings to a depth of four inches. Attach to a pole or trees in the desired location near the water. The duck box is placed at least six feet above the ground or water to protect against predators.