How Do You Draft-Proof the Lowe's Playhouse Coops?

[chickeepoo]

How did those of you using the Lowe's Playhouse for your coop draft-proof that split door and the windows and roof line? We don't get near the freezing weather in Florida that some of you more north are getting, but I wanted to be sure I cut out drafts for those days when it is really cold…
We did seal the cracks between the siding with clear caulking and add short 1x2's above/below the windows on the inside, but those shutters aren't really tight and there are other gaps along the roof line and the dutch door. Weatherstripping didn't fit/stay.

 

[WriterofWords]

I put a plastic bag over the windows and then a paper feed bag over that to block the windows during the Winter. When I put the roof on I put sealent between the boards and just go fill in what is gaping when the boards warp.

 

[chickeepoo]

Think it's OK to use a can of that foam gap sealer from Home Depot up where the roof meets the sides (keeping the hens out until it's dry of course)?

 

[Chickenaddict]

Like great stuff foam in a can? I definately wouldn't use that if the hens can get to it they will eat it. We had an area in our garage we filled in with that, the chickens found it and started pecking chunks out of it and eating them. Fortunate for us we saw them do it immediately and locked them out of that part of the garage

 

[chickeepoo]

Hmmm… good thought, ChickenAddict- they do eat ANYTHING they can get their beaks on. Maybe I'll have to cut 1x2's, glue in with clear caulking, and fit the rest of the gaps with those?

 

[flakey chick]

To reduce drafts in my small coop (not Lowe's playhouse), I covered the offending portions with some weed block I had on hand. It lets moisture out, but should help baffle the air flow. I don't feel I really have to worry about my girls eatting it.

 

[sis]

I'm in PA and this is what we did,
the floor was built on cinderblocks to get it up off the ground.
The windows pop out, we took press and seal and wrapped the window 3 times up and down and then across, so it was double layer with air between. then popped it back in. nice and snug. closed the shutters.
we have several inches if wood chip bedding in the house, so no drafts come in there.
the door, again I used press and seal to go around the entire top door, as that window screws in. up and down and then across. Then we use a white plastic/canvas feed sack with the top door open put in 4 or 6 inches of sack tuck rest over top of door and side of door that opens, this fills in all cracks very well. yes I have to redo it every day, but it gets easier to do. We did not caulk anywhere, It is quite warm and toasty in there.
most days the waterer is not frozen.
For a roost we took two sections of tree trunk, about 6 inch round each
nailed a branch between them. these are only about 10 inches off the floor.
I have 5 bantys in there.
We cut a small pop hole door on one side.
I think my bantys are very warm in there.

 

[silkiechicken]

I just used silicone caulk around the bottom to seal between the play house and the floor, and between the roof boards. Windows are just plexi glass screwed on with some caulk on the inside to keep out water. However, I find it is not "drafty" enough, as it doesn't get enough ventilation despite the half in gap in the top front doors and at the peak where I left it un caulked. I usually leave the top part of the french door cracked open just a hair. Almost defeats the purpose of the pad lock on the lower part of the door.

You don't want it sealed tight, as you do want some air flow for moisture to get out.

Seeing as you are in a warm climate, I don't think you have much to worry about. The majority of my birds live in tractors which are only tarped for the roof, and they made it though two weeks of snow, and 3 weeks of freezing weather as low as 10F no problem, not even frost bite, and we are in a humid area.

Cold and humid = bad. Dry and humid = better.

 

[Sissy]

dont have a lowes pLAY HOUSE BUT I DID DROP THE CEILING IN THE COOP TO SAVE THE HEAT. BY STAPLING A PIECE OF VNYL
HALF WAY DOWN FROM THE CEILING, AND COVERING THE WINDOWS WITH CLEAR SEE TRU PLASTIC
.LETS THE LIGHT IN BUT DRAFT OUT.AND HAVE ENOUGH AIR FROM THE ROOF VENT.

 

[Hoot]

Chickee;

I live about 45 minutes east of you. I didn't think it got cold enough here to worry about it. I would think the ventilation may even be a plus with the warm weather we have.

I am more concerned about Hurricane season.

Hoot