Quack-shack

[Lil Drake40]

I use deep litter method with horse bedding that may not work where you are but I keep around 6-8” of bedding in my houses depending on time of year I go in daily and scoop out the wet poopy stuff fluff and add new as needed usually every 2-3 weeks . I scatter the spent shavings all around the property once it has aged I use it for mulch

 

[Enigmius]

For the Walls: I picked up the hardware cloth today and boy does it have sharp edges. I think that after cutting the pieces to fit the wall panels, I will have to file down the pokey-pokeys and then staple it to the wood frames.

For predator protection:
For now, I think I'm leaning toward creating a hardware cloth apron that extends 1 foot out from the bottom edge of the house/run, and then pinning it down to the ground with landscaping pins and back fill with some soil to cover it. I hope that will work. But if anyone of you think it won't let me know asap.

 

[Aquachick]

I am knocking on wood as I write this but it hasn't failed us yet. We've done it with two separate coops and no issues. Good luck. I covered it with dirt once and with pea gravel the second time.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Sounds like a real good plan. I hate using hard ware cloth but it is our only means of protection against predators.

 

[Enigmius]

Here is a painted update. Still putting another top layer of fish scales and these will be painted a darker green than the quack-shack body. I’m working on the door now also, but it’s just prepped pieces atm. Once I assemble it in a day or so, I’ll post it too

 

[Miss Lydia]

I absolutely love it. I know they will. Are you a carpenter by trade this looks very professional.

 

[Enigmius]

I absolutely love it. I know they will. Are you a carpenter by trade this looks very professional.

That’s very nice, but no I’m not a carpenter. My deed restriction requires that any permanent structure built on my land has to match the style of my house. So I’m just trying to wing it and make it work. What I forgot to do was create some kind of barrier between the wood and the ground. It is treated pine on the base, but I’m afraid that isn’t going to stand the test of time with waterfowl. Ugh, I just know that’s going to bite me in the *ahem*.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hopefully not for a long time unless you know some really strong guys or have a front end loader to lift it so you can place something under it. You sure have done a great job just winging it.

 

[CrystaBub]

AGREE - this looks amazing!!! If you ever need another career, you could be a coop construction consultant!

 

[Miss Lydia]