First DIY floating duck house.

[SueT]

Maybe they launched it and it didn't work out.......?

 

[Kiki]

Pinterest led me to a 2012 post here on a floating duck house. This is my first DIY -
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Here are the basic steps:
Started with a pre-made playset from Gorilla Playsets
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Made a slight adjustment in the height to be more “duck appropriate” to get the basic frame:
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Next I built the platform from 2x6 pressure-treated boards:
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I used 1x6 boards to deck the platform. The inside frames are used to hold the 4 x 30 gallon barrels that were then strapped in, also note the eye bolts that would be used to anchor the house:
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The “walls” are made of tongue and grove cedar panels:
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A coat of stain to mostly match the frame:
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I cut entry holes into two of the panels. I then bolted the frame to the platform and attached the walls. Two of the walls were attached with hinges to make it easier to clean:
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Next, I built the roof. First a pressure treated plywood, then cedar shingles. This probably took the longest in the overall build:
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Another layer of stain:
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Then to complete the build, added hip-cap shingles and a solar light to the roof. And installed two hinge-mounted external ramps to result in this:
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This is great!
Can you make copy and paste this post into an article please?

 

[paneubert]

This is great!
Can you make copy and paste this post into an article please?

Like I said in January, every time I see this thread in my notifications, I get my hopes up. Haha. I don't think the builder is ever coming back to give us an update.

 

[Kiki]

Like I said in January, every time I see this thread in my notifications, I get my hopes up. Haha. I don't think the builder is ever coming back to give us an update.

I just sent them a PM, let's home he receives email alerts for them.

 

[Kiki]

@Simpleenough77

Here is your original thread.

 

[paneubert]

@Simpleenough77 , update us! How is the floating house working out? Any photos? Feed our thirst!

 

[Simpleenough77]

Hi folks!

Sorry, I didn’t see the tags till today, when I saw an email about it.

Let me see, I’ll attach a couple of pictures here:

Here’s a link to a short video on YouTube. Sorry it’s a bit far away, but you can see one of the Pekings walking up the ramp.

 

[Simpleenough77]

I don't know a thing about ducks but that is an amazing looking build! I wonder if I floated it out in my pond if the wild ducks would be interested.

I can tell you that the visiting Canadian Geese seem to ignore it, while the snapping turtles like to use the ramps to sun themselves...

 

[aart]

So it's working out well?
Seems close to shore......no fox attempts?
Are the snapping turtles a risk?

 

[Simpleenough77]

Hey @aart
Yeah it’s working great, this is also how it looks after a few storms and rain downpours.

Thankfully no fox or coyotes seem to be taking risks. The house is close to the bank that is closer to our house. Mainly because I was too lazy to take out the boat every time to clean it/collect eggs.

The ducks themselves have really gotten spoiled by my wife and have the habit of coming up to the yard by our house at night. That appeals to said laziness as it’s easier to collect the eggs up here...