Floor gaps need to be caulked?

[Shellebelle920]

Hi. I’m about a week or two away from moving my growouts into their new coop. I painted the floor, but I’m wondering if I need to fill those gaps with caulking? I’m moving in mostly silkies, so they’ll be on the floor in the evenings. They don’t roost. Is caulking really necessary or a waste of time? I’m going around the perimeter of the floor today with trim to close the wall-floor gap. Thanks!

 

[The egginator]

I think it’s your preference nice coop

 

[perkolator]

Nice coop! I don't see the caulking being necessary

 

[kcan2]

Wow, what a magnificent coop!
I lined the bottom of my coop floor with linoleum, just to make it easier to clean and eliminate dirt from getting in nooks and crannies where mites could hide. The only reason I found it necessary to caulk around the interior and exterior perimeter was because rain water was getting in at the join.

 

[Shellebelle920]

I think it’s your preference nice coop

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if the floor would get drafty but it’s nailed down to framing. I’m leaving it.

 

[Shellebelle920]

Nice coop! I don't see the caulking being necessary

I’m not going to do it. I was just worried about drafts, but I think they’ll be fine. And I don’t think too much moisture will get in there. (Famous last words). Lol. Thanks!

 

[Shellebelle920]

Wow, what a magnificent coop!
I lined the bottom of my coop floor with linoleum, just to make it easier to clean and eliminate dirt from getting in nooks and crannies where mites could hide. The only reason I found it necessary to caulk around the interior and exterior perimeter was because rain water was getting in at the join.

Good thought on the mites. Ugh... maybe I will be caulking after all.

 

[KarynVA]

Beautiful coop! That's like the Taj Mahal of coops!

 

[3KillerBs]

If you use a nice, thick layer of bedding they won't necessarily be down on the actual floor. However, dust and gunk will collect in the cracks.

But, on the other hand, they're very likely to pick at, pull out, and eat any caulk that they do expose.

Lots of people cover their floors with sheet vinyl or use a product such as Blackjack or porch/floor paint to seal everything.

 

[perkolator]

I’m not going to do it. I was just worried about drafts, but I think they’ll be fine. And I don’t think too much moisture will get in there. (Famous last words). Lol. Thanks!

I think you're fine in regard to drafts, but I have a feeling you'll be getting at least some amount of moisture inside the structure along the gable ended walls, based on having board and batten walls, with very little roof overhang over them. I wouldn't worry about it tough, but at least observe it as the seasons change

x2 on chickens likely will peck at the caulking if they can get to it. Sealing the whole floor and up the walls a little bit with an elastomeric paint should seal the cracks and keep it from rotting as fast if it does get wet