Coop build; What should I use to seal corners/cracks?

[jaj121159]

I would put 1x4's or even 2x4's in the corners, but also I would run a couple of studs up the interior walls. I would also put a frame around your pop door. These things will keep your walls from bowing or warping. The plywood is strong, but it is still susceptible to moisture which causes the bowing and warping. I would also run a couple of cross supports on the roof. If you do get any type of snow load that roof will break in half. Built each wall and the roof strong enough to walk on if they were a floor.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Quote:
x2 That board will start to bow if you don't give it more support.

 

[cabincrazyone]

Hi, I haven't read this entire post, only looked at your photos. Let's look at your second photo. If you ran a bead of calk along that corner (where the light shines through) it will separate with the first wind that comes up. You need a stud in that corner, a 2x4 is standard, but you could use a 2x2 and it would be just fine. Cut a 2x4 or 2x2 to fit snugly (upright) in the corner and between the two horizontal 2x4s, and nail them to those horiz 2x4s. Now nail both walls to that stud and the wall will no longer flap in the wind. Next cut about 4 more studs and put them in upright every 24 inches along that entire front wall (standard practice is every 16 inches, but every 24 inches will work fine). Nail the wall boards to the studs from the outside. Do the same in all the corners and along all the walls. It's sort of the cart before the horse but it'll work just fine. Usually you'd frame in the structure, then nail on the wall boards.

 

[Cass]

Quote:
x2

I'm not an expert on building chicken coops, but it looks to me that without the extra support advised by Cabincrazyone your coop will not support the snow load your area is prone to getting.

There is an excellent book called "chicken coops for dummies"...perhaps it is available at your local library... it will help you decide how to close your corners and with what, as well as explain why and how to build for snow load.

Sealing with silicone will help if you ever have a mite infestation, there will be no where for the little bugs to hide when you clean the coop.

 

[cabincrazyone]

I've had another thought ... and I hope you don't take offense ... it's simply a matter of experience.
When attaching those studs, you would toe nail them with 16 penny spikes. But because that wall is open at the bottom ( I suspect that's the nesting area below) it will shake a bit when nailing those spikes. I recommend you use deck screws, 2 and a half inches or 3 inches is better. Pre-drill a hole in the first board but not in the second. Make the hole about the same size as the screw shaft up near the head. (A little bigger or smaller doesn't matter) this prevents the stud from cracking and pulls the two pieces together tightly. Aim your drill hole at an angle like the nail in the photo. Two screws, one on each side, is plenty for your application because your 2x4s are flat against the wall, NOT like the stud and lower plate in the drawing.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Wow! Thanks for all the advise! Guess we're going back to home depot next weekend...

I'll take any advise I can get on this one. We've never built a coop before (heck, I'm not even sure DH has built anything beyond his high school woodshop projects...) so anything and everything is helpful.