WHAT TYPE OF CAULK DO I USE INSIDE THE COOP?

[Fawn and Fam]

We were just going out to caulk all the cracks, etc. in our coop before painting it. We don't know if we should be using acrylic or silicone caulk?

 

[jetdog]

I used silicone but I made sure it was a paintable or stainable type because I used it on the outside before painting the coop.

 

[yogifink]

I don't know why you would want to calk the inside of the coop... But, I would use an outdoor rated, paintable caulk.

Acrylic is easier to work with and cleans up better than silcone. Silcone will last longer and is more flexable over its lifetime than acrylic, but is harder to apply, takes longer to dry and it smells. Acrylic is less expensive than silcone. I would probably go with an acrylic, and reapply as needed after a few years.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/acrylic-caulk-vs-silicone-caulk

 

[Fawn and Fam]

We're going to caulk every seam/crack/crevice, any place a bug could crawl in and hide. Also any place there may be a tiny draft,to make it more airtight. Then after it is dry we're going to paint everything (even on top of the caulk) w/ semi-gloss paint. Sometimes w/ paint you can seal tiny cracks but not big ones. Also when scrubbing clean those paint seals can be broken. Caulking is just an extra barrier of protection.

 

[striperon]

Fawn & Fam,

I would use Window & Door Supreme Paintable Silicone by GE. I don't know about its toxic potential, but I have had good luck with this caulk in both interior and exterior applications.

 

[aart]

We're going to caulk every seam/crack/crevice, any place a bug could crawl in and hide. Also any place there may be a tiny draft,to make it more airtight. Then after it is dry we're going to paint everything (even on top of the caulk) w/ semi-gloss paint. Sometimes w/ paint you can seal tiny cracks but not big ones. Also when scrubbing clean those paint seals can be broken. Caulking is just an extra barrier of protection.

.....but you have plenty of proper ventilation, right?

 

[BrickWall Honey]

Don't kid yourself that caulking as tight as you want will keep out bugs or their hiding places.. The chickens will bring them in unless your never allowing them out even then you can bring them in on your boots.. Mites and lice will infest the litter also.Condensation is another problem you may face. Ensure your ventilation is good as already mentioned and you probably know.

Caulking in general is a good idea to keep out unwanted drafts around the nesting and roosting areas. I do mine, but caulk on the outside with a paintable acrylic window and door caulk.

Always nice to see keepers providing a good environment.

Good luck

 

[4 the Birds]

Caulking cracks to avoid drafts is good to keep drafts away from the roost and nest areas. If you get high winds in the Winter, snow has a way of finding small openings and piling up the snow. Just be sure to have well ventilated openings in the coop and don't seal up the birds air tight! Acrylic Latex is paintable and forgivable with the porous surface that you apply. Silicone is not paintable but it is better regarding longevity and handling temperature cracking and shrinkage. I generally use Acrylic Latex for interior caulking and Silicone for outdoor use. Hope this helps!

 

[Chemguy]

I used caulk on the inside of my coop, mainly because I am far from being a carpenter, and this was a good way to reduce possible drafts. I used acrylic. My primary concern was that the chickens would dig into it, so I used brown-tinted caulking in the hopes that the caulk lines would not stand out (I used PT plywood for construction). After 2+ years, no problems.

 

[Fawn and Fam]

Thanks everyone. No worries, we have built in TONS of ventilation all that closes up tightly. We will keep 1 sq.ft. open per bird. We built a lot of extra ventilation for when we get more chickens.

We are certainly aware caulking will not keep the bugs out. We just want to eliminate as many places as we can that they can hide when we do our quarterly deep clean. Also we use poop boards that are cleaned daily so we hopefully won't have to worry about them infesting the litter. Also painting everything keeps the bugs from burrowing into the wood

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