OverEZ chicken coops

[llcardinale]

Hi All,
Does anyone know if OverEZ chicken coops are toxic or not? They use OSB board, and they cover the boards and the floor with a resin. The two people answering the phones seem to possess very limited knowledge about their product, so not many answers there. I've read that some OSB are toxic if wet, but others can be made without chemicals like formaldehyde. I've already thrown out two coops, one that fell apart when moved a few inches, and the other was way too small when I ended up with 10 chicks, and not the six that I ordered. Seems that unless you build your own or spend several thousand, it's difficult to get a reasonable coop where I live on the northwest coast of CA. I'm hoping I can make the OverEZ coop work somehow. Also, the walls are only 3/8 to 1/2 thick, so I was wondering if I need to insulate? The temperature where I live rarely gets below 45f, and is usually between 50 and 60f. My birds are pretty heavily feathered at seven weeks. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[nuthatched]

They're not toxic, but also pretty expensive for what you get. I'd reccomended you buy a shed to convert or diy.

 

[llcardinale]

They're not toxic, but also pretty expensive for what you get. I'd reccomended you buy a shed to convert or diy.

Thank you for your response. Would you happen to know how it is that they're not toxic, since OSB boards can outgas for months, and when wet will again outgas? I'm considering cancelling my order and doing exactly what you suggested. I'm definitely having buyers remorse, mostly because I've come to adore my chicks and am very concerned about putting them in a toxic box.

 

[BDutch]

Also, the walls are only 3/8 to 1/2 thick, so I was wondering if I need to insulate?

If the frame is strong then ⅜ or ½ “ should be fine as long as the walls don’t/can’t deform.

I wouldn’t insulate bc if you ever get parasites like red mites in the coop, you can’t ever get them out again if you have attached insulation. Most chickens can handle cold very well. They are birds, not mammals. Only (sub)tropical breeds and small Serama’s don’t handle cold well.

Ventilation is a must have to stay healthy. In general the prefabs don’t have enough ventilation. Windows are beneficial for their well being too.

A shed or a large children’s playhouse conversion with a connection to a run or free ranging is an excellent alternative for a prefab coop. An automatic pop door makes live a lot easier.

 

[llcardinale]

If the frame is strong then ⅜ or ½ “ should be fine as long as the walls don’t/can’t deform.

I wouldn’t insulate bc if you ever get parasites like red mites in the coop, you can’t ever get them out again if you have attached insulation. Most chickens can handle cold very well. They are birds, not mammals. Only (sub)tropical breeds and small Serama’s don’t handle cold well.

Ventilation is a must have to stay healthy. In general the prefabs don’t have enough ventilation. Windows are beneficial for their well being too.

A shed or a large children’s playhouse conversion with a connection to a run or free ranging is an excellent alternative for a prefab coop. An automatic pop door makes live a lot easier.

Thank you for your response and advise. I'm considering cancelling my order, primarily due to concerns about toxicity. I was planned to install an exhaust fan and vents all around the ceiling. Seems nuts that none of these coop makers make coops with even a fraction of the needed ventilation. Thanks again

 

[BDutch]

Ideas for shed conversion:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/8-awesome-shed-to-chicken-coop-conversions.75512/

 

[llcardinale]

They're not toxic, but also pretty expensive for what you get. I'd reccomended you buy a shed to convert or diy.

I now have my OverEZ Walk-In coop and will assemble it this weekend. What I've learned since my original post is that OverEZ uses an engineered wood called LP SmartSide. It is not toxic unless you cut into it, which creates dust that is carcinogenic. However, it uses the same adhesives that many plywood and OSB products use as well. Both wood dust in general and many adhesives are carcinogenic, so best to use a good dust mask if you cut it. I am making 12 cuts for vent openings and an exhaust fan. I also learned that any cuts need to then be primed with a high quality exterior oil-based primer (and the LP SmartSide folks said to not use any Kilz products), and then paint with an exterior acrylic latex paint. OverEZ uses Sherwin-Williams. LP SmartSide also said that the interior should NOT be painted, as doing so will destroy the moisture resistant properties of their product, and the product can swell and be vulnerable to rot. So, best to leave it as is and not risk damaging one's investment by painting the inside surface. Just wanted to follow up with my findings in case someone else is interested.