Wood for coop

[kathlynr8]

Hi,
I was planning to make my coop out of OSB zip panels (they sort of like plywood - made of glued chucks of wood on one side and has a waterproof coating on the other ) as I have them on hand from building a house.
However I have been reading some posts that chickens can peck the walls of their buildings.
Are plywood and zip panels safe to use ? I see people paint their coops as well - are all paints are safe?
Thanks!
_Kate

 

[3KillerBs]

I like barn paint for my coop and outbuildings. It's made to go onto rough wood without need of a primer.

I don't know about those panels, but @U_Stormcrow probably does.

 

[nmoog81]

Hi,
I was planning to make my coop out of OSB zip panels (they sort of like plywood - made of glued chucks of wood on one side and has a waterproof coating on the other ) as I have them on hand from building a house.
However I have been reading some posts that chickens can peck the walls of their buildings.
Are plywood and zip panels safe to use ? I see people paint their coops as well - are all paints are safe?
Thanks!
_Kate

I have had non painted osb panels lining the inside of my coop for 2 years now and have not seen any signs of pecking... I will eventually paint the inside as time allows but other than looking pretty and making my wife happy I dont think its necessary

 

[mowin]

You'll be fine with those. They will peck at anything loose, so if water damaged and swelling, they might peck at it. I'd paint the inside to seal everything up tight.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I HATE OSB for coops. Actually, I Hate OSB. That said, used properly, its a slightly cheaper substitute for plywood.

Most coops only have one wall - the outer - and OSB is not designed for continuous exposure. Yes, if you have an arid environment, and you paint it well, it can last for years. I don't, I live in lovely hot humid FL, where OSB sheathing on homes disintegrates inside the walls (Brick facades are very popular down here), or is eater by the local insects.

That said, i have no particular concern with your dinosaurs pecking at it. If you use it as an interior wall, not exposed to weather (I don't know why you would want to do this, but ok), it should last many many years, so long as no edges of it end up resting in standing water for any period of time - then, while its MUCH better than particle board, both OSB and plywood will swell and split.

 

[mowin]

I HATE OSB for coops. Actually, I Hate OSB. That said, used properly, its a slightly cheaper substitute for plywood.

Most coops only have one wall - the outer - and OSB is not designed for continuous exposure. Yes, if you have an arid environment, and you paint it well, it can last for years. I don't, I live in lovely hot humid FL, where OSB sheathing on homes disintegrates inside the walls (Brick facades are very popular down here), or is eater by the local insects.

That said, i have no particular concern with your dinosaurs pecking at it. If you use it as an interior wall, not exposed to weather (I don't know why you would want to do this, but ok), it should last many many years, so long as no edges of it end up resting in standing water for any period of time - then, while its MUCH better than particle board, both OSB and plywood will swell and split.

There's the key.... OSB is sheathing, not meant to be exposed to the weather even if painted. If used property, its great. ZIP system is OSB COVERED in a weather proof membrane, and panels are "joined" by special tape that makes it seamless and watertight. Many areas where I live are making ZIP system minimum code because its so effective.
Only hate OSB if its used in a manner its not supposed to be used.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

ZIP system is popular because it saves labor. Labor is money. Ultimately, it doesn't fix the problems with OSB, but ZIP is fast, and looks good. Otherwise, its OSB - cheaper plywood that is only strong in one axis. If that's all you need, its great. If not, not.

We are seeing a ton of it used here in FL for apartment complexes, 0 lot-line housing subdivisions, etc where a building goes up in a week. It does, technically, meet Miami-Dade Hurricane code. I just find it too moisture sensitive (and termite-tasty) over the long haul for this climate as a housing material. Down here it fails not because the outer skin has failed and its repeatedly rained on (though that is a concern) but rather because we see 80% - 90% humidity routinely, and people condition the hell out of their homes, so moist air condenses at the temperature gradients.

Obviously, coops aren't multi-decade investments, which helps to blunt those concerns, but that's where my anti-OSB bias comes from.

I build my coops with Hardieboard, for what its worth. It has downsides as well, but moisture (except standing water, the bane of everything) is not one of them. Nor is termites.

 

[mowin]

ZIP system is popular because it saves labor. Labor is money. Ultimately, it doesn't fix the problems with OSB, but ZIP is fast, and looks good. Otherwise, its OSB - cheaper plywood that is only strong in one axis. If that's all you need, its great. If not, not.

We are seeing a ton of it used here in FL for apartment complexes, 0 lot-line housing subdivisions, etc where a building goes up in a week. It does, technically, meet Miami-Dade Hurricane code. I just find it too moisture sensitive (and termite-tasty) over the long haul for this climate as a housing material. Down here it fails not because the outer skin has failed and its repeatedly rained on (though that is a concern) but rather because we see 80% - 90% humidity routinely, and people condition the hell out of their homes, so moist air condenses at the temperature gradients.

Obviously, coops aren't multi-decade investments, which helps to blunt those concerns, but that's where my anti-OSB bias comes from.

I build my coops with Hardieboard, for what its worth. It has downsides as well, but moisture (except standing water, the bane of everything) is not one of them. Nor is termites.

Interesting to hear different opinions from different climets.. I can understand the issues in Florida. Fortunately for us, we don't have hurricanes, or are overly humid. So In my area its extremely effective, if used properly.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Climate is almost everything. Soil is the rest.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Obviously, coops aren't multi-decade investments

Lol, I did not get that memo!