Building a Duck Run

Описание: We recently got two ducklings, and one of them is blind. This means that they are going to be indoor ducks. Having said that, even indoor ducks need some outside time, so I built this run so that they can spend time outside without worrying about our dogs or predators.

Materials:

4x 8' long 2x4s
8x 8' long 2x2s
3x 8' long 1x4s (or 1x6s in my case)
2.5" screws (for frame)
1.25" screws (for door/gate)
Angle brackets for 2x2s + screws
36" wide 1/4" hardware cloth, about 25'
48" wide 1/4" hardware cloth, about 12'
2 hinges, 2+" recommended
Wood glue
Staples + stapler

Instructions:

1. Cut 2 of the 2x4s into 36"/3' lengths
2. Cut 2 of the 2x2s into 48"/4' lengths
3. Screw the 4' 2x2s into the 8' 2x2s to make 2 rectangular frames
4. Screw the 3' 2x4s into one frame (2 screws from into the long side, 1 into the short side)
5. Flip the assembled frame and struts and place the struts into the other frame
6. Screw the struts into the bottom frame, same as the top
7. Measure the vertical distances at each of the corners, and cut pieces of 2x4 to fit
8. Screw the 2x4s into the other 2x4s
9. Measure the horizontal distance between the top long 2x2s, and cut a 2x2 into two pieces to fit
10. Measure the vertical distance between the side long 2x2s and cut a 2x2 into two pieces to fit
11. Use the angle brackets to screw the 2x2s into the frame, spacing the vertical 2x2s in the centre of the sides, and the top 2x2s about 33" from each short end
12. Measure and cut a piece of 48" hardware cloth to fit the top of the run.
13. Staple it to the frame
14. Put the frame on its side, and staple the 36" hardware cloth to the sides, starting at one side of the entrance and moving around the frame to the other side. Cut off the excess.
15. Cut the 1x4s at 45 degree angles, with the two pieces measuring 48" a and two pieces measuring 36" on the long sides
16. Measure the length of a 45 degree side, double it, and cut smaller pieces at 45 degree angles with the long side equal to your measurements
17. Lay the 48" and 36" pieces down in a rectangle, and glue the sides that touch
18. Put glue on the small corner pieces, lay them down on the corners, and screw them in
19. Screw the hinges to the door frame
20. Cut a piece of 48" hardware cloth to make a 48"x36" piece
21. Staple the hardware cloth to the door
22. Screw the hinges on the door to the run frame
Done!

You can add a latch to keep the door closed, and handles to help lift the run if you need to move it around. You can also attach wheels to help move it.

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Nuwe Blare Homestead is a homestead in the Arizona desert. We (try to) grow our own food with our desert garden, we raise chickens and ducks for eggs, and we build the things we need. Homesteading in the harsh Arizona climate is not easy, but we are learning how to use the resources we have at hand to accomplish our goals. We're a South African-American family, so we occasionally share recipes for South African dishes.

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