Construction style?

[moetrout]

Ok, so I built a coup for my chicks before ever coming here. I found out after the fact that it was too small. So I am planning for coup #2 now and need it to be ready for fall. I want a 6' x 8' coup built on skids. I have some details that I am not sure of so I thought I would ask everyone here for the firsthand knowledge. My questions:

1) For a 6' x 8' coup can I get away with building it on 4x4 skids or should I really use 4x6 or bigger? I plan to build the coup and then drag it to the spot I want it. Beyond that it is not likely to move for a very long time.

2) Do I really need to put hardware cloth on the bottom of the floor to keep mice/rats out if the skid foundation is flat and not raised off the ground?

3) I was thinking of using 2x3's instead of 2x4's, 2 foot on center for the walls. Is that a mistake?

4) I like the looks of t1-11 siding, but it's like $27 a 4' x 8' sheet right now. Since I also want to insulate it and finish the inside I was thinking about using luan (1/4" plywood they use for sub-flooring) inside and out. It would be painted so I am wondering how well I can expect luan to hold up if I make sure to keep it painted and protected. Luan is about $10 a sheet right now so the cost savings is significant.

That is all I can think of right now. I want to do a BYC page on this one since I am drawing up dimensioned plans and want to really plan this one out before starting.

 

[birdicus7]

Before I give you any advice let me qualify it by saying that I've been a carpenter and house framer for 20 years. I would NOT use Luan it will de-laminate with moisture no matter how much you paint it! 2x3's are fine if you can get nice straight and DRY ones, ones that are wet can twist as they dry. I would definitely stick to 16" centers with the 2x3's. As far as skids go my coop is built on 4x4 legs standing on flat 2x4's (treated for ground contact of course.) Just be sure that you use fasteners rated for the new ACQ treated lumber as it will eat regular fasteners

 

[mickistoy]

so would laun be ok for inside?

i think i know the answer....but a guy can hope right?

 

[Pequena Bandada]

Luan inside... ? Not unless you can convince your chickens not to pee inside. Seriously though, no - there's too much humidity inside a chicken coop for a surface that could warp.

 

[moetrout]

I've seen quite a few people use luan inside. Also, chickens don't pee. If your coup is ventilated properly then the humidity should be no worse than it is outside. I am going to use it myself inside. I was more questioning it's use outside. I did see a coup on here recently that used it as siding outside the coup. I think I'll try to find that again and email that person to see how it's working out. I probably won't do it, but then I have to swallow hard to buy that t1-11 at $27 a sheet.

Anyone out there have a suggestion on something cheap to use as siding on my coup?

 

[TyrannosaurusChix]

i used plywood.i just have to paint it next yr a tthe latest i guess.

my garage is made out of osb and then was painted..

 

[dude+chick]

Whatever you use make sure it is exterior grade (type of glue used). If you don't mind a rough texture you can try 1/2" 4x8 sheets of CDX with a good exterior paint. Luan is an interior grade and will not work in any exterior application. If you live in a humid climate don't use it on the interior of your coop unless the coop is sealed well and air-conditioned If not it will delaminate. Good luck.

 

[moetrout]

Thanks! I have now been talke out of luan for siding, however I still plan to use it inside.

Anyone have cheap siding ideas? Beyond painted plywood? The cost to side it in t1-11 would be like 40% of the entire coup cost.

 

[NevadaRon]

40% of the cost for the siding?

I built a 4x8 coop - with a 16x8 run - for about $600 or so, by the time you count in hardware, paint, roofing, wire, etc.

I used 3 sheets of 4x8 T1-11, for ~$84 - less than 15%. With a 6x8, you will use 4 sheets, which will come to ~$112 (it's actually $27.95 a sheet

) - still nowhere near 40%. BTW you will have a lot more cutting and wastage with those dimensions. I would suggest going 8x8 - you'll still buy the same amount of material but end up with a lot less 2ft left overs.

 

[JanetSmithery]

Haunt your local Craigslists materials section. Lots of times you'll find people needing to sell a couple sheets of plywood. Give yourself some loose parameters (I will only look at full or half sheets of 3/4" exterior grade, etc.), and a nice chunk of time to stock pile.

I got five sheets of 3/4" birch for $30 to build my coop that way. It took me about 2 weeks to find someone selling full sheets. (After that, though, there seemed to be a new plywood listing every third day!)