The new chicken/duck mansion is complete - sort of

[TLWR]

Is any project ever really complete?

We have an issue with the flooring we used (polywall) - nothing seems to actually adhere to it. Since I clean by hosing the floor, the water will seep under where adhesive/caulk/tape/etc seals this stuff down. I'm likely just going to have to cut the flooring out and put a few layers of porch paint down. If anybody has suggestions on how to make it work, I'm all ears!

Here's the link to the page with all the photos of the process
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-duck-mansion.75474/

 

[Tortoise]

Looks great.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's very pretty. But I really, really advise not using water to clean off the floor - it's not friendly to a wood structure and it's just adding moisture to an environment that needs to stay dry. I use a rake to clear out my coop bedding, a paint scraper to get any stuck on bits, and a broom - no need for anything more complicated than that.

 

[TLWR]

It's very pretty. But I really, really advise not using water to clean off the floor - it's not friendly to a wood structure and it's just adding moisture to an environment that needs to stay dry. I use a rake to clear out my coop bedding, a paint scraper to get any stuck on bits, and a broom - no need for anything more complicated than that.

We don't use bedding.
I've used water for 9 years on the previous house and it worked out fine with no issue to the wood. All wood is painted with multiple coats of porch paint. Since I'm scooping to compost manure, I'm not hosing this house out daily.
The caulking failing is the cause of concern, as the wood floor under it wasn't painted.

If I end up having to cut the polywall flooring out, then things may end up changing a bit.

 

[rosemarythyme]

We don't use bedding.
I've used water for 9 years on the previous house and it worked out fine with no issue to the wood.

No issues with chickens coming down off roosts and spraining an ankle? Guess if it's worked for you before, why change what works! Although sand could be an option if you do go with some sort of bedding, as you could scoop out the poop with a sifter.

 

[TLWR]

No issues with chickens coming down off roosts and spraining an ankle? Guess if it's worked for you before, why change what works! Although sand could be an option if you do go with some sort of bedding, as you could scoop out the poop with a sifter.

Sand will be one of the options if I have to cut the poly floor out. As well as just piling in pine straw under the roost area where well, the chickens poop and the ducks seem to mostly sleep.
If we end up with the wood floor exposed, I'll come up with something so it won't need to be hosed out as often.

No issues I've seen so far with birds jumping to the floor now that they've figured things out. The glass door was the bigger issue as they figured they'd just flap and go out the front. Quick lesson learned for them there, no injuries sustained since they didn't quite make it to the door when they tried, but walking into it a few times made them aware that wasn't really a viable option lol

 

[aart]

Wants to see the inside!

...and more info on this 'polywall" (like a link to the product) might help us help you solve the adhesion issue.

 

[TLWR]

Wants to see the inside!

...and more info on this 'polywall" (like a link to the product) might help us help you solve the adhesion issue.

I'll get pics of inside later today.
Here is the link to the polywall - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Parkland-P...bossed-White-Matte-Plastic-Wall-Panel/3436816
the issue is finding the stuff they recommend to use to adhere. I can find a gallon of it on Amazon, but I need like a small thing of caulk size, so it seems wasteful to order the gallon size bucket of the stuff. I did not find any of the stuff where I bought the panel, which kind of annoys me too. I think if I want this stuff to stay stuck together and to the metal lip at the edge, I might just have to buy a gallon of the stuff.
Though I'm thinking just buying another panel of it and leaving it loose - pulling that out to clean.
Decisions, decisions

 

[aart]

I'll get pics of inside later today.
Here is the link to the polywall - https://www.lowes.com/pd/Parkland-P...bossed-White-Matte-Plastic-Wall-Panel/3436816
the issue is finding the stuff they recommend to use to adhere. I can find a gallon of it on Amazon, but I need like a small thing of caulk size, so it seems wasteful to order the gallon size bucket of the stuff. I did not find any of the stuff where I bought the panel, which kind of annoys me too. I think if I want this stuff to stay stuck together and to the metal lip at the edge, I might just have to buy a gallon of the stuff.
Though I'm thinking just buying another panel of it and leaving it loose - pulling that out to clean.
Decisions, decisions

Maybe contact the company?
Caulk is tricky, especially when it comes to plastics.

 

[TLWR]

Wants to see the inside!

ceiling lights


auto door


tree branch as roost

Scramble - flightly as a baby, thinks she's my best friend now and follows me everywhere


Power at the top, camera in the center - sand from the poop board when it was up and had sand in it. Last night I just plopped the board on the floor to see if the ducks will sleep in it - might add the sand back later, not sure yet - keeps it cleaner, but might just put in some pine straw


5 gallon buckets full of food and the electronics of everything on the wall