Duck House made from pallets - estimated $100

[stubbornhill]

I love the octagon shape! Can't wait to see the pictures when you get it done!

 

[zookeeper15133]

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It's just the right triangle formula. a sq. + b sq. = c sq. where c is the long side.

so a = ?
b= 58" (half the diameter of your octagon)
c = 72" (your 6' 2x4's)


a sq = 72 sq. - 58 sq
= 5184 - 3364
= 1820
a = 42.66"

So plus your 40" sides is 82. 66". This does not take into account any over hang outside the edge of the pallets. I would tie the tops together, place the ends at the joints of the pallets, then raise the center like a tent pole to the height you like.

How are your pallets attached together, hinges?

7' really isn't that high in the center if you will be going in there to clean. Remember it will come down to 40" around the perimeter.

I also think putting chicken wire on the out side of the tarp will cause you more problems. It will catch all those pine needles and make it heavy. The smooth surface of the tarp will let stuff slide off.

 

[ChickInDelight]

I wish I had thought of hinges! Restore had plenty cheap.

I had some free wooden corners, so I trimmed them down to have the octogon angle. Then I screwed one in the top, and one in the bottom of the pallet frames. Much to my surprise, the last pallet to be joined fit perfectly.

Then, I went and bought 10 octagonal shaped metal plates from Home Depot and reinforced the middle of each pallet. Each plate has 8 screws, but I did not always hit the pallet frame. The structure feels very solid.

You are SO right about chicken wire on the top. I will frame with wire, then try draping the tarp. I may be back to bungie cords here - but at least the frame will be predator-proof.

 

[Kaelinstorm]

Thats actually a pretty neat idea. Kinda gives me ideas

 

[Bleenie]

When I re-tarped my chicken run, I used old carpet(cut into pieces) on the sharp edges of wood or wire so it didn't tear the tarp. Worked great and the tarp still looks good in those spots, it's just pulled apart from water collection in other spots, lol.

 

[ChickInDelight]

The carpet idea is great! I just wish I had read that before I tore up and threw away all that carpeting recently.

So, Bleenie, do you have chicken wire under your tarp? How long did the tarp last?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would look around for an old wire satellite dish--they used to be like 9 or 10 feet. We had one and I always thought it would be useful for something.

 

[ChickInDelight]

Eggcessive! What a great idea. I am near the West Virginia border, so shall look for a WV state flower!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Love the duck house. Glad to see more and more people are using pallets.

I love recycling materials.

 

[Bleenie]

We were using a heavy duty carport tarp we had laying around, it lasted over a year but we are right at the base of a hill so the wind sometimes get's pretty swift here, rushing right down on us. I have a $30 tarp on it now that's doubled over with carpet 'bumpers', i think i put that one on around Christmas... still working great but water collects on some spots so i have to dump or syphon it off sometimes.

Another bad part about the pools on the tarp is that when the young ducks first started flying they discovered them and thought they made awesome new baths!! no more syphoning the water out after that!!

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