Interior coop wall finish

[mcfarmall]

I did a search for interior walls and didn't really come up with what I'm looking for. The question is, Is it worthwhile from a sanitation standpoint to cover the interior walls of the coop? Here is the lowdown. I have some fiberglass insulation laying around, so I could get rid of it by putting it in the walls of my coop. I know it will need to be covered to protect it from curious chickens.

Here are the coverage options, 1. Use 1/8" Melamine coated paneling for the inside. $11 a sheet and pretty thin & flimsy, but easily cleaned surface. 2. Use 1/4" flake board. $5 a sheet, stronger but uncoated porous surface. 3. Use the 1/4" flake board @ $5 a sheet and paint it with a semi-gloss enamel to provide a bright and easily cleanable surface. There would be a cost to the paint ranging from $3/gallon at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore to $28 from Menards for a gallon of fresh stuff. Labor is not a concern as I have more time than $$.

I really don't want poo encrusted areas between the wall studs, etc. etc.

 

[clairabean]

I had to look up flake board. Here we call it particle board. Moisture would be my concern for using particle board. Once it gets even a bit wet it flakes, breaks up, and it useless. It warps and it never right after. Even with paint over it.

What about plywood or even planks? Our interior coop wall is covered with wood planks, with a think coat of bright paint. Not the best seal, but I work with it. It holds up to spring hose downs, to a (now fixed) leaky roof, and is extremely durable.

 

[mcfarmall]

The flake board I am referring to is really thin OSB made with exterior grade glue. The "flakes" can be pretty large like 1.5" x 3" but average is maybe 3/4" x 1" in size. And I agree, particle board, MDF and the like are out of the question. Planks and plywood = $$$ more than I'm willing to spend. Low dough but effective is what I seek.

 

[cajunhillbilly]

I would go with the Melamine panel!

 

[Joz]

OSB will still warp and flake apart, even if it's got "exterior grade" adhesive in. If you're only using it to sheathe the interior you'd probably be alright with the occasional washing, but I don't recommend using it on the exterior, or anywhere it might be subject to prolonged or repeated wetting.

 

[patandchickens]

If you are going to be a "hoser" so to speak, and feel some inexplicable compulsion to hose your coop out multiple times per year, then I would suggest a durable reasonably-waterproof finish and no chipboard. (Honestly I'd recommend plywood and a really good paint job... the hazard with sheets of melamine or vinyl or whatever is that unless you are both super careful AND super lucky, there will be -- or will develop over time -- some gaps that allow hose water to penetrate behind them, then sit there forever and rot yer walls)

However unless you are gonna be flinging water round in there, I truly see no point in anything other than well-painted plywood; even well-painted chipboard (mind, it uses up a lot more paint b/c of the rough surface) is not THAT bad, although unless you are super careful to fill ALL the crevices with paint you may get unremoveable poo and dust and mites so it is not *ideal*.

GOod luck, have fun,

Pat