Particle and Wafer Board for Coop Construction

[LoneCowboy]

Is there any health concerns with using Particle board or wafer board in coop construction? I had a lady look at the coop I'm selling this weekend, and she was concerned about using particle and wafer board and the chickens scratching up the floor. She wondered if the glue in it was a health concern. I didn't know, I used plywood for the floor in this particular coop, but wafer board on the walls.
Thought I'd ask before I build another.

 

[speckledhen]

All plywood has glue since it's a laminated product. They probably wont react to the glue in particle board(sneezing, etc) anymore than they would new plywood. If you use wafer/particle board, I'd seal it so it won't delaminate. If used on the floor, you could cover it with vinyl.

 

[ozzie]

I thought about using particle board but after some research and talking to hardware people they think that if you are exposing it to the elements, it doesn't last as long as plywood. Any sort of moisture that seeps into particle board will cause it to swell and crumble. So I ended up using plywood (exterior graded)

ozzie

 

[Redfeathers]

My coop is made out of that...so far so good....no sick chickens...

 

[greenmulberry]

I would only use particle board if you could really seal it up well. Prime it, and several coats of paint.

That stuff swells up like a sponge if it gets any moisture.

 

[Redfeathers]

True, we did prime and paint it.

 

[FutureChickenMan]

I'd never use particleboard. It will fall apart it's just a matter of time. Chip board/OSB is a little better, but will still fall apart. If you're going to use any plywood outside, use T-111 and paint the hell out of it. At least 3 coats of a good exterior laytex. Repaint every 10 years. Ideally, use marine grade plywood as it's impregnated with resins that keep it from absorbing water.

Additionally, particleboard has formaldahyde in it. If you're not going to laminate particleboard with formica don't even bother. It's a waste of money.

 

[speckledhen]

It's awful to cut with a saw, too, splintering all over the place. In general, I don't like to use it because it isn't pleasant to use or to look at, to me, even painted. But, it can be done, if very well sealed.
***When I say "particle board", I am referring to OSB. Sort of like calling all colas "Coke". I make no distinction among the laminated chipboard products.

 

[FutureChickenMan]

Quote:
you have to cut it on a table saw with a plywood blade.

one of the benefits of being a contractors son, I know what works and what doesn't when it comes to building.

OSB/Chipboard is very different from particle board. Particle board is that junk most wood cabinets are made out of these days, sawdust and glue. OSB is actual "chips" of wood glued together.

 

[speckledhen]

We did, but the blade was probably too dull, LOL. I still hate it. I just look at it and get splinters in my fingers! I did mean OSB, but I always call all that stuff particle board. Sorry for not using the correct term.