Coop build question

[TD2]

We are in the process of building the coop out of pallets. Trying to keep the cost low as the cost of lumber is crazy lately. My question is this... the slats are as close as we can get them (see pic) hubby thinks we should put a sheet of plywood on the slats, I say no. That the slats are good. He says there will be to much drafts. Anyone make pallet coops? Any suggestions on the build would be greatly appreciated. Also.. coop weights about as much as a small car lol what have you all used on the roof?

 

[Mamatomany123]

Ventilation is good. Drafts that hit the birds is not. If the slates in the wood are going to cause a draft to hit the chickens then it wont work.

Now depending where you live can make a little difference. Heres my coop. I have 2 roost, 1 directly below the opening that the girls choose to roost on during our 120°+ summers and 1 lower that theyll roost on during our colder months. I've put Mark's on where my 2 roosts sit inside.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Yes, your location matters a great deal. For example, some traditional coops down here in the Steamy Southeast of the USA have boards deliberately spaced 1/2" apart because heat is much more of a danger than cold.

My first instinct is to say that if you're fitting the boards as closely as you can then no significant wind can blow through those tiny cracks.

When we say "No drafts on the roost" we mean wind capable of ruffling their feathers.

Generous ventilation is one of the keys to long-term good health.

 

[saysfaa]

I would do board and battan or board over board before putting plywood over it. It looks better and costs a lot less.
Needing the cracks open depends on your climate and your coop design. If you have a square foot of permanent openings [edit to add... per chicken] without the cracks and live where it isn't too hot, then you don't need the cracks for ventilation. I don't think you need them covered because of drafts, I've been in a lot of old barns with vertical board walls, a bit of air or rain or snow will sift in but without force. It is like windbreak trees or snow fencing but more so because the cracks are smaller.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I agree that it depends on where you live.
I have a metal roof on my coop and run. You could check locally to see if anyone is reroofing a metal shed or building that would give you a sheet.

 

[svh]

Also, be aware that wood expands and contracts with weather changes, and the gaps probably will change with varying seasons. In my experience, I've found pallet wood to be particularly prone to this problem.

That being said, I don't think, even with expansion/contraction, you will have much of a problem .....

 

[aart]

Also, be aware that wood expands and contracts with weather changes, and the gaps probably will change with varying seasons. In my experience, I've found pallet wood to be particularly prone to this problem.

That being said, I don't think, even with expansion/contraction, you will have much of a problem .....

Agrees.

Also.. coop weights about as much as a small car lol what have you all used on the roof?

Metal or plastic roofing panels might work.

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