Eendenkooi (Duck cage)

The most easterly farm on the Island, De Kooiplaats, has had a duck cage since 1861. In the olden days, duck cages were used as a form of hunting. Any ducks captured would be sold to a poulterer or small butchers in Leeuwarden, on the mainland.

A duck cage is used to hunt ducks without the use of guns. It usually consists of a fresh water pond surrounded by trees. Duck cages are typically Dutch and originated in the 14th Centuary, when duck still heavily featured on menus. Most duck cages in the Netherlands are not in use anymore. In 2016, various environmental organisations worked together to ensure that the remaining duck cages in the Wadden area would be preserved; they are now part of the cultural heritage of the area.

The duck cage on the island was restored in 1989 by Dutch charities Natuurmonumenten and Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog.

Excursions to Eendenkooi (duck cage)

Would you like to find out more about the duck cage on Schiermonnikoog? Excursions are held from mid April until mid July.

Farmer and duck cage expert, Mr Theun Talsma, would like to wlecome you for a tour and answer all your questions. The cage is now also used for scientific research purposes, by catching birds, ringing them and collecting their data.

Excursions can be booked through the visitors centre.

Contact details Eendenkooi:

Kooipad 1 9166 SB Schiemonnikoog Tel. 0031 (0)519-531372

Or buy tickets at Visitor centre het Baken (Reeweg 9) 0031 (0)519-531233