Coop Interior Walls

[BonnieBlue]

I have a question about interior walls. Below is a drawing of what I have planned for the roosts and poop boards. The outside of the coop will be LP Smartside siding, framing is standard 2x4 framing.

Because the roosts with poop boards will stretch along 2.5 walls (possibly 3) of the coop, they will butt up against either an interior wall or the framing. If I don't do interior walls, then there will be a gap between the poop board and the wall that is the interior side of siding. I would prefer it to butt up against an interior wall, but I do not want mite/lice to get into the interior walls. I am planning for the coop to sit on a concrete slab. If I caulk all interior wall seams before painting, will that be sufficient prevention for lice and mites? Or should I forego an interior wall and just have that gap? I was thinking for cleaning the poop board itself, and keeping errant poop for going underneath the poop board, walls would be cleaner.

For climate, I live in south Louisiana. Hot summer, winters mild except for the now and then into the mid-20's snap.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Hmmmm...

This has created some interesting thoughts for me.

Full height walls are a great place for mites and mice to get far to cozy. Droppings boards unless notched to fit the studs leaves a 3.5" gap which can allow poo to fall through as well as a bird to become stuck.
I think I would be notching the boards to fit between the studs to close the gap.
I don't use droppings boards myself. So hopefully I am not completely in left field lol.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Hmmmm...

This has created some interesting thoughts for me.

Full height walls are a great place for mites and mice to get far to cozy. Droppings boards unless notched to fit the studs leaves a 3.5" gap which can allow poo to fall through as well as a bird to become stuck.
I think I would be notching the boards to fit between the studs to close the gap.
I don't use droppings boards myself. So hopefully I am not completely in left field lol.

I keep coming back to notches in poop boards also. I was hoping not to have so many crevices, but there may not be away around it. Those will be a lot harder to clean.

I didn't even think about a chicken getting stuck in the gap, but that is a good thought. I had one that was prone to any kind of trouble.

 

[aart]

Instead of notching anything, just add some interior wall material from the top of the poop board up a couple feet.

My coop interior has HC, so never had that issue.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Instead of notching anything, just add some interior wall material from the top of the poop board up a couple feet.

My coop interior has HC, so never had that issue.

So basically a backing to the poop board. That would allow me to spray between if needed (if I am understanding correctly).

 

[aart]

So basically a backing to the poop board. That would allow me to spray between if needed (if I am understanding correctly).

Yeah, but I don't think you really need to have anything there,
plenty of poop boards against studs and I've never heard of a bird getting stuck in that gap.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yeah, but I don't think you really need to have anything there,
plenty of poop boards against studs and I've never heard of a bird getting stuck in that gap.

Good to know. I have a few doozies in my flock that get into trouble easily so....yeah mine would find a way.

 

[BonnieBlue]

Yeah, but I don't think you really need to have anything there,
plenty of poop boards against studs and I've never heard of a bird getting stuck in that gap.

What would you suggest from roost to back edge of poop board? I was thinking 18 inches.

 

[matheny00]

Instead of notching anything, just add some interior wall material from the top of the poop board up a couple feet.

My coop interior has HC, so never had that issue.

I covered my interior with food grade plastic sheets from depot. Nothing grows on it and should clean up well

 

[matheny00]

I had the same thoughts about what to do to the walls. So being I always overdo everything (according to my wife) that I build I decided to sheet with 1/2 sanded sheathing and then cover with Commercial food grade 1/16 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Plastic Panel. Resist bacteria, mold, and rot, instead of painting. I am not finished yet I have the plastic moldings that will go in the corners with sealant behind to prevent leakage into the walls or hiding spots for bugs. This 4x8 coop will cost an extra couple hundred dollars but I will never have to worry about the inside being unable to be kept clean.