Coop Roof OSB

[Squirlatheart]

I am building a small coop with the enclosed area being about 4 x 4 with a pitched roof. I plan on putting shingles on it to match my house. Is OSB okay to use as a base for the shingles (worry formaldehyde) for my Silkie chicks? Also, how much ventilation does this area need as they will be locked in it at nighttime for extra precaution. Thanks for any suggestions.

Lovell

 

[Bsmac]

I am building a small coop with the enclosed area being about 4 x 4 with a pitched roof. I plan on putting shingles on it to match my house. Is OSB okay to use as a base for the shingles (worry formaldehyde) for my Silkie chicks? Also, how much ventilation does this area need as they will be locked in it at nighttime for extra precaution. Thanks for any suggestions.

Lovell

Hello! If you are worried about it I would just go for plywood instead. Really would not cost much more than osb. Imo its a better option!

 

[Intuit]

I am building a small coop with the enclosed area being about 4 x 4 with a pitched roof. I plan on putting shingles on it to match my house. Is OSB okay to use as a base for the shingles (worry formaldehyde) for my Silkie chicks? Also, how much ventilation does this area need as they will be locked in it at nighttime for extra precaution. Thanks for any suggestions.

Lovell

OSB is structurally stronger than plywood. I wouldn't worry about the formaldehyde if you bought it from a retailer as it had had plenty of time to offgass. Tar paper under the shingles is a must because OSB will rot quickly if it gets wet. It's not a good product for flooring of any kind. I'm currently building a bigger coop which has OSB walks and roof with treated plywood flooring. For a coop as small as yours a roof vent is sufficient but a little window for light would be good for the birds.

 

[perkolator]

I still have my old chicken coop, and most of it's made with OSB plywood. The roof just has shingles laid directly on top, without any underlayment tar paper. I'd guess the structure is at least 20yrs old. Keep in mind this is CA where we hardly get rain, but I also see MANY house builds in tract neighborhoods, using OSB for roofs and exterior sheeting, even floors. OSB is fairly strong stuff and does have some moisture resistance due to all the adhesive content, I have a potting bench made of OSB that's been out in the elements for over 10yrs, definitely looks beat up but hasn't fallen apart yet.

 

[Squirlatheart]

OSB is structurally stronger than plywood. I wouldn't worry about the formaldehyde if you bought it from a retailer as it had had plenty of time to offgass. Tar paper under the shingles is a must because OSB will rot quickly if it gets wet. It's not a good product for flooring of any kind. I'm currently building a bigger coop which has OSB walks and roof with treated plywood flooring. For a coop as small as yours a roof vent is sufficient but a little window for light would be good for the birds.

Thank you all for your responses. The coop does have a small window on the back that pops out with a screen (I don't trust to leave it open at night) and two shutter doors in the front that open back with wire mesh that will be open most of the time except when the weather is bad. I plan on adding plexiglass across those in the winter to let in light but not as much cold air. Any other suggestions are welcome. I agree the OSB is a better product. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.