Small, Economic, Attractive Coop- is it impossible?

[fisharescary]

So we've started seriously trying to plan for ducks this spring. And I"m now at my wits' end. I can't figure out how to set up the duck area in a way my husband doesn't find tacky or expensive.
We are def. not master carpenters, although he is moderately handy and we own basic hand tools and very basic power tools. (I can hammer a nail. that's about as handy as I am. Wouldn't mind learning a few additional skills, but can't become an expert overnight.)
We need to house 2-6 lightweight ducks. We're military, so we move every 3 1/2 years- so we either need to :

a) build something that can be easily taken apart and cleaned enough that the movers will handle it
b) build something that conceivably adds value to the house for the next people, and leave it behind (a chicken coop in suburbia is probably not adding value for 99% of the potential buyers)
c) build something REALLY cheap that we won't have to mind leaving behind.

The Husband feels that plastic is tacky- no plastic tarps, plastic dog kennels, or plastic dog houses. Chain-link fence is iffy.

How much should a duck house and roughly 4 x 9 predator-proof enclosure, complete with some form of partial shade, cost?
if it affects things, we live in coastal SC, and it seems that things are hot and dry with occational downpours and mild winters. At least winterproofing isn't an issue.
Planning to use deep litter method for what it's worth.

I am just overwhelmed, and my thoughts are a little scattered now. DH seemed so supportive but now I don't have good enough plans.
The cheapest chicken coop/duck house/rabbit hutch/dog houses I can find are close to $200 without any run attached. Can they be built for less?

 

[pixie74943]

I've heard rumours that ducks dont need much

If you had some of those pet barrier panels, that can be set up and taken down, they look okay in the catalogues, and range from $25 - $75 for about 8 panels depending on when you get them. I'm sure you can get a nice looking tarp to make shade, or plant a tree next to it.

And what's wrong with a dog house? lots of people seem to have them and they dont look bad. Alternatively... Duck Lean-To? Dont know how that would work, but you should be able to do it

 

[FireTigeris]

Wooden doghouse with "tar paper" inside and removable roost poles ... um... doggy ventilation really... then leave it there... its a dog house with some vent holes (where the root roods ran through) sealed (tar paper) for easy cleaning.

for the run make hardware cloth panels 4 feet wide and frame them - you can bolt them or hinge them together - they can be as tall as you want. (hardware cloth here is 4 feet wide) Paint the hardware cloth with "drys nontoxic" spray paint/rustolium a nice color that matches your current house or paint the whole thing white frame and matte black for the screen- it looks nicke like this and you just unbolt or remove the hinges to pack up- the run walls should be easy to clean.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Get a small garden shed--you use it as a coop, whoever purchases your home will probably use it as a shed.

Get a larger rabbit hutch (or better yet, the chick-n-hutch) http://www.critter-cages.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=22 shows some ideas.

Use a small plastic wading pool.

 

[fisharescary]

There isn't any problem with dog houses, if they're wood. The problem has been that they're all $150+ so far that I've found. Are there better prices and I just haven't found them? It seems like it must be much cheaper to build?

 

[nancypo]

Check out my chicken page...

 

[nancypo]

Have you joined a local Yahoo Freecycle group in your area? You can get LOTS of building materials FREE! Just google it...

 

[angels4]

This is in Myrtel Beach, is this close to you? http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/for/1692611298.html

 

[gryeyes]

Look this plan over - I built one, using redwood boards, and making the box 3 foot square. Four, 8 ft 1x12s, each cut into two 3-ft sections and one 2-ft sections, gives you an "extra" 2 ft section you can use to make a door to close over the 2 ft opening mentioned in the plan. I didn't make mine suitable for floating on a lake or pond, it's just sitting on concrete blocks. I used regular plywood for the floor and roof.

Check it out - pretty simple instructions and inexpensive!
http://www.ehow.com/how_4451013_build-wooden-duck-houses.html

 

[fisharescary]

I did just join local freecycle groups a coupla days ago. hadn't found anything super-helpful yet, but here's hoping. Myrtle Beach is 1-2 hours away, so for the right thing it might be worth the half-tank of gas. Thanks for all the advice, guys. I was a little freaked out there. Seems we've decided that the husband is gonna built the pen his way and I will built/scrounge a simple wooden shelter in it. I'll be looking at your ideas.