Coop from deck boards?

[Itcus]

Hey guys so we are building our coop/run this weekend, Happy Mother’s Day to me!!
What about using deck boards for walls/floor? I have old deck boards I can use or I can get new as my research has told me the treating is safe now.
I am thinking 4x6x4 off the ground 2 feet. The side facing the run will be 2 large doors that I can leave open. Run will be walled and covered with hardware cloth. We are in coastal SC and are hot and humid. Thinking I will cover the back wall with hardware cloth and keep some boards off during summer and be able to reattach during winter.

Any thoughts?

 

[Michael Propst]

Just my thoughts. The old deck boards may be ok as most of the chemicals have probably dissipated. I personally would never enclose my girls in a coop made of boards treated with chemicals, in a enclosed space those fumes cant be good especially with how sensitive the chickens respiratory system is. If you want a idea of what they would be exposed to put a couple treated 2x4 in your vehicle on a hot summer day and then get in it after 8 hours. Manufactures may say it is safe but I would trust it, plus standard pine is much cheaper anyways. They will be ok for the run since it is open and no fumes are in a confined space. The only place I used treated boards on my coop build was the legs since they are in contact with the ground.

 

[Itcus]

Thank you, good to know.

 

[imnukensc]

My entire coop and run is/was built with treated wood with the exception of the galvanized roofing and welded wire fencing. You'll be fine with old or new deck boards.

 

[JDN]

Just my thoughts. The old deck boards may be ok as most of the chemicals have probably dissipated. I personally would never enclose my girls in a coop made of boards treated with chemicals, in a enclosed space those fumes cant be good especially with how sensitive the chickens respiratory system is. If you want a idea of what they would be exposed to put a couple treated 2x4 in your vehicle on a hot summer day and then get in it after 8 hours. Manufactures may say it is safe but I would trust it, plus standard pine is much cheaper anyways. They will be ok for the run since it is open and no fumes are in a confined space. The only place I used treated boards on my coop build was the legs since they are in contact with the ground.

Given that he's in coastal SC (HOT), he's best to have at least one side of the coop more or less permanently open. I'd make one 4 foot side totally out of hardware cloth.

 

[Itcus]

Given that he's in coastal SC (HOT), he's best to have at least one side of the coop more or less permanently open. I'd make one 4 foot side totally out of hardware cloth.

This is what I was thinking for the front that leads to the coop. Then keeping a few boards off the back for ventilation that I can replace during winter.

Thanks.

 

[imnukensc]

One other thought----instead of hardware cloth, I'd use 1/2 inch X 1 inch welded wire. It is thicker and stronger than hardware cloth, easier to work with, will last longer in a coastal environment, and the cost will be about the same or less.

 

[aart]

You'll be fine with old or new deck boards.

Ditto Dat^^^

One other thought----instead of hardware cloth, I'd use 1/2 inch X 1 inch welded wire. It is thicker and stronger than hardware cloth, easier to work with, will last longer in a coastal environment, and the cost will be about the same or less.

True, unless you have to contend with weasels and/or rats and/or a lot of mice....then the smaller mesh may be worth the effort.

Welcome to BYC @Itcus !
Panels to cover some of the mesh walls for winter and or stormy weather would definitely be a good thing to consider.

 

[Itcus]

One other thought----instead of hardware cloth, I'd use 1/2 inch X 1 inch welded wire. It is thicker and stronger than hardware cloth, easier to work with, will last longer in a coastal environment, and the cost will be about the same or less.

I was thinking something like this for the roof of the run at least. Where would one procure such a thing?!? All I can find is 2”x4”

 

[Itcus]

Ditto Dat^^^

True, unless you have to contend with weasels and/or rats and/or a lot of mice....then the smaller mesh may be worth the effort.

Welcome to BYC @Itcus !
Panels to cover some of the mesh walls for winter and or stormy weather would definitely be a good thing to consider.

Thanks for the welcome!!

I think I would do hardware cloth around the bottom and for the door and for open bits on the coop.

We only get a handful of below freezing nights but I will definitely make sure I have a way to cover open spaces on the coop when cold weather comes, thank you.