I have the chance to buy some plywood that is 5/16 thick and am thinking I could use it to sheet the new coop instead of siding. found it on craigslist. It says 20 or so sheets of 5/16" plywood with 1x4 frames measure 3' 7"x 7' 1" $6 each and about 15 5'1"x7'5" Has 1x4 down the 4' seam. $8 each. It would save me some dough for sure. I have the walls framed and would certainly have to adjust the panels to fit. Not an issue since I do have a lot of tools and know how to use them. Big question is if 5/16 is thick enough. ( I am thinking the siding is about the same thickness) I would like input since DH is looking to go up there soon. New coop size is 8x16 with a 4' and a 7' wall (east is 4' and west is 7').
I'd use it if I had it available. Just make sure it is secured well and the screws, nails, whatever don't go all the way through. With something that thin the screw heads may go through, but if you can handle that it should stop anything short of a bear, and not much can stop a bear.
My main concern would be predators that would try to chew threw it at the edges. I'd make sure the ends have something solid behind them and possibly cover the outside edges with 1x4 trim. You'd also need to add more studs behind it than with thicker siding to avoid it warping.
DH could not wait any longer and now I have the sheeting. It looks like I can make it work well enough. I think I will go for a mock board and batten look. Odd thing is that the boards along the edges are more plywood that has been ripped down and is a true one inch thick. I do plan on adding more studs since I like the board and batten look and that would give me something to screw or nail into. Plus I would not be putting screws into the thin material that way. I am thinking the table saw is going to come in handy. The nails that are holding the edges on are stupid screw nails. I may still try and remove the "boards" on the edges. Even though it means more work I think the savings was worth it. DH got 9 of the large and 5 of the small for 80 dollars. The siding was going to cost 250 and I would still of had to scab in on the short side since my framed wall height is 51 inches. The coop will have a 2x6 frame for the floor and rafters. One of the main reasons for the new coop is that I am sick to death of mice getting in the coop. By doing this myself I can add step flashing to the inside of all the corners as I build it. Take that stupid mice. The 4 foot wall ended up at 51 inches since I was cutting and decided that it would be less waste to just cut the 8' boards in half. DH made them sort through for ones that were not water damaged.
