Can I use existing bulding (wondering about the drywall)

[Little Red Hen Eggs]

maybe you might want to check out the lumber area of Home depot.. they have a siding that is wood that would work.. and comes by the sheets of 4X8ft and could be ripped in half so you could use it for half way up the walls and you would not have to paint it unless you would like to keep it washable. Maybe lanolin on the walls you could use the peel and stick.. that way it is washable and won't hold in any germs. Just a thought.

 

[patandchickens]

I would not recommend plastic sheeting over the wall (not thin stuff, like vapor barrier tarplike stuff, that is) -- chickens will peck it apart, ask me how I know

Something thicker like coroplast *might* be ok, I do not know how much chickens peck it, have not tried.

DO NOT USE WALLPAPER, first b/c it will likely not stay on well and secondly because I cannot concieve that they would not peck it apart the first boring day comes along.

If it were me I would buy the cheapest thinnest plywood, or even chipboard if you do not mind its roughness. (NOT mdf though!) Well ACTUALLY if it were me I would scrounge around til I could *find* some weenie thin plywood, or even someone's old rec room panelling. Remember it needn't cover the whole wall, just the chicken-level part.

Pat

 

[Noymira]

You could also get thin bead board if you like that, I would probably cover it with something easy to wipe clean.

 

[GardenGal]

I had forgotten I don't have to go all the way up. That makes it a lot cheaper! I'll go with a thin ply or osb, Pat, thank you. Would a 32" wainscotting be tall enough, or should I go 4'? Sheesh! I thought I had done my research over the winter! Or maybe I've just forgotten what I've learned

Wish I could give you guys some pie for all your help!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
If it were me I'd use whatever was a 'natural' size for whatever material I was using -- if plywood or OSB, then 4' is a logical height, although you could go 3' (and use the cutoff 1' strip for other purposes, or to piece together for some of the wall covering) IF your bedding will be thin.

I think minimum height depends on your plans for how high bedding will ever pile up, and what if any raised 'furniture' you are likely to have around the walls. You may need a little extra higher-up in areas reachable from the roost.

Pat

 

[GardenGal]

Ah, bedding. I knew that somewhere in my head! It'll be fun

 

[Dogfish]

Masonite. The stuff peg board is made of, without the holes. 4x8 sheets, ripped in half (2x8). Run it around the bottom two feet of the wall. Add it to areas where the roof attaches to the wall.

 

[perchie.girl]

 

[Suechick]

You could get a cheap linoleum to put on the floor and part of the way up the sides. It is very cleanable!
I would use the 8x8 coop for sure! It makes it so much easier to give in to that little nudge to add to the flock.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Oooh good idea about linoleum.... I think the best one yet. you could go up on the walls as high as you want and fasten a Furring strip across the top edge to help keep it in place. Rent a heat gun from the rental store and use that for bending it around corners too.