Duck House made from pallets - estimated $100

[ChickInDelight]

Thanks!

Payday has arrived, so I am looking at auto-waterers.

Also, my plywood has not yet materialized, but I went dumpster diving today and pulled up all sorts of thin boards. I like that idea because my cutting mistakes will affect a smaller region of roof.

I really should dress before I haul my kid to school. I was wearing a military trenchcoat (over PJs) and hippie sandals while head-down / tail-up in the dumpster.

 

[kuntrygirl]

I love it !

 

[sully taylor]

that is very nice ive seen many coops and whatnot made out of pallets but yours is the most impressive

good job!!!

 

[ChickInDelight]

STarted roof. 4 of the panels are on hinges.

Ducks spent 2 nights indoors.

They seem to like it, and each night, I have been given a Mallard Egg - perfect - right by the door!

 

[Hawkeye95]

is that a wood roof or a tarp? It looks really good so far!

 

[ChickInDelight]

I went with plywood. The top will be strips rather than panels - like a gazebo roof. I wanted to get some paint on before I attached hardward, but it turns out that was not necessary.

So I now have broken the $100 mark - and I also ordered an automatic waterer. That drove the price WAY up!

 

[ChickInDelight]

Progress is slow!

This shot shows one of the panels open. I made 4 of 8 to open - good thing, or I would not be able to finish the top of the roof. One has warped, so I will nail it shut to apply the final coats of paint in hopes it will warp straight. The entire roof will be green when I am finished.

This shot shows my automatice waterer! YAY! It may be a bit high, but it does not leak and saves me from hauling buckets. I can easily access it from an open roof panel. Cleaning looks to be a wipe with a paper towel. I highly advocate these Little Giant Poultry Waterers for convenience and sanitation!

This shot shows the doors with brass hinges and handles (totally unnecessary) that I picked up cheap at Restore.

Obviously, nothing is plumb, or level. the roof boards are not meeting perfectly. I slop paint everywhere. I saved paint of every color for final touch-up. I started without plans. I cut quality at every step, but I am doing it. If I can build a duck house, then anyone can!

 

[zookeeper15133]

I love it! It has turned out really cute!

 

[ChickInDelight]

Finished at last!!

A light fixture atop, skylights, and after seeing slender duck necks digging grubs through the chicken wire, I tacked a couple more boards onto the open fronts. I willingly admit, hardware cloth is the BEST. I just did not have any.

The cost is about $100 MINUS the lights and 2 automatic waterers.

The ducks are locked inside. See the chickens storm the doors?

See Buffy jump on the roof to lecture:

I had already installed a chicken perch and the chicken waterer up high in case bad weather arrived before I had a satisfactory solution for my 4 chickens. While I was resting inside, on a bale of hay, the girls came in, once again, reminding me how much they have always liked the duck house. The house is So cozy inside!

I am the first to scream that chickens should never be forced to live with ducks that are such hogs that slop everywhere. However, I am going to see if mixed cohabitation works for mine. I have one perch in now. I shall put another in somewhat lower so they have to reach for their waterer. (The ducks have their own waterer near the floor that they fill with sand daily.)

The ducks have dug a hole in the sand and lined it with hay to lay eggs. I have to go into the house to collect them. I open one of the 4 panel doors and go inside to collect duck eggs.

I am hoping to open a panel door and reach into the chicken next box for chicken eggs. I put a nest box up high for my chickens that should start laying in a couple of weeks. They seem to really like the hay.

Tis a nigth house, so here is the night view. I believe lights deter predators. I have lights on top that are always on and solar lights that fade all around.

Interior view. (I really should borrow a good camera. These are all from my cell phone. That is why my pics of the ducks going in and out are just a blur.)

And finally, a view of the inhabitants (before house is completed). Only when they are around the feed bowl do they stand relatively still.

All done!

Okay, so I have some paint touch-up and door hardware - fun stuff when the sun shines.

 

[Hawkeye95]

WOW!! It looks fabulous! I am so amazed at your coop building skills!!

and.... YAY that it is done!!