Waterproofing the wood

[CrazyCrttr75]

Lovely build. Will you be cutting some windows in? And ventilation? One can never have too much ventilation!!!

Yes. We have a window already installed the the side that you can't see. We plan on putting in another single pain window on the side that you can see. We also plan on putting in more vent holes along the top slant on each side (if that makes sense) right below the roof line. We have this um solar vent fan thing. We are thinking about attaching it in the back where it would get plenty of sun and it will help circulate the air inside, while allowing the heat and odors to escape. I think it's technically supposed to go in the roof but since we did a metal roof, DH didn't know how to install it that way and everything still be waterproof. We're debating that one.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes. We have a window already installed the the side that you can't see. We plan on putting in another single pain window on the side that you can see. We also plan on putting in more vent holes along the top slant on each side (if that makes sense) right below the roof line. We have this um solar vent fan thing. We are thinking about attaching it in the back where it would get plenty of sun and it will help circulate the air inside, while allowing the heat and odors to escape. I think it's technically supposed to go in the roof but since we did a metal roof, DH didn't know how to install it that way and everything still be waterproof. We're debating that one.

Coops are really better placed in the shade if you have any. Sun doesn't help at 4AM in the middle of January but is a problem at 4PM in the middle of July.

 

[lazy gardener]

I am a fan of louvered vents. They can be placed just about anywhere, letting the air flow while keeping the weather out. I have 2 at gables (E and W) and one nice big one at floor level (S).

 

[BrahmaGirl2018]

I'm trying to remember. Of course we didn't do the roost bars or under the roof pieces etc. We just did basically anything that might be affected by water and we did so before we put it together so we could let it dry out thoroughly. I understand a lot of people may not agree with doing so but we figured it was worth a shot. The "paint" is hardly paint at all, it's so thin and barely there. You'd get more coverage from spray paint. We chose not to repaint it, altho we thought about that. Maybe that would make ya'll feel better as a better choice? We had other things we could use the Thompson on so it just made more sense to give it a try. We haven't had any issues whatsoever. So far so good, altho our girls (we have 6) are outgrowing the coop and we are in the process of building them a bigger one that we are painting.
The soon to be old coop: The soon to be new coop:
View attachment 1495424 View attachment 1495425
It's going to feel like a mansion to them LOL. But it will allow us to expand a little in the future if we want to. We've had the coop for less than a yr (our girls are 4 months old). I was just trying to let you know my experience with not only the same coop, but with the treatment. Good luck

Thanks!!! It would def be easier if I had done this before construction...lol oh well you live and learn! I am sure at some point we will have an upgraded coop as well. We are taking notes on what we like/dislike and will build our own from scratch next time. My littles are will be two weeks on Wednesday so I am excited to have everything ready for when the”move in”. Thanks again for your help and info on your experience with this particular coop.

 

[townchicks]

I'd recommend getting a good exterior paint and go over the outside, The inside does not need to be painted, you could if you want to, but it should air out for at least a week or better for two, if you do. I did paint the inside of my coop, for easier cleaning, and to make it brighter inside.

 

[BrahmaGirl2018]

Lovely build. Will you be cutting some windows in? And ventilation? One can never have too much ventilation!!!

There are widow

I'm trying to remember. Of course we didn't do the roost bars or under the roof pieces etc. We just did basically anything that might be affected by water and we did so before we put it together so we could let it dry out thoroughly. I understand a lot of people may not agree with doing so but we figured it was worth a shot. The "paint" is hardly paint at all, it's so thin and barely there. You'd get more coverage from spray paint. We chose not to repaint it, altho we thought about that. Maybe that would make ya'll feel better as a better choice? We had other things we could use the Thompson on so it just made more sense to give it a try. We haven't had any issues whatsoever. So far so good, altho our girls (we have 6) are outgrowing the coop and we are in the process of building them a bigger one that we are painting.
The soon to be old coop: The soon to be new coop:
View attachment 1495424 View attachment 1495425
It's going to feel like a mansion to them LOL. But it will allow us to expand a little in the future if we want to. We've had the coop for less than a yr (our girls are 4 months old). I was just trying to let you know my experience with not only the same coop, but with the treatment. Good luck

Another question....do you close the sliding door once they are inside roosting? I feel like its more secure to do it every evening...
Again, I read differing opinions...I am super nervous about the littles moving outside ( I think would camp out there if I could...ROFL...)

 

[townchicks]

It's always safer to close the door at night, however, if the door or doors do not have secure locks, raccoons can easily open them. Most prefab coops only come with the sliding type closures, and I recommend adding a safety hasp type lock, secured with a carabiner, or better yet, a padlock. I use small padlocks on all my doors to the coop, and just hang the keys handy right on a hook on the outside of the coop. While you're at it, since the babies are not yet installed, you really should reinforce the hardware cloth with screws and fender washers on the edges. Most of the wire on prefab coops is just stapled in, and can be pried loose by raccoons. It is scary leaving them outside, but if you know you've done what you can to protect them, it helps.

 

[townchicks]

Oh, put a lock on that sliding tray too, raccoons know they can pull those out and reach in to grab legs, while the chicks are on the roost.

 

[BrahmaGirl2018]

It's always safer to close the door at night, however, if the door or doors do not have secure locks, raccoons can easily open them. Most prefab coops only come with the sliding type closures, and I recommend adding a safety hasp type lock, secured with a carabiner, or better yet, a padlock. I use small padlocks on all my doors to the coop, and just hang the keys handy right on a hook on the outside of the coop. While you're at it, since the babies are not yet installed, you really should reinforce the hardware cloth with screws and fender washers on the edges. Most of the wire on prefab coops is just stapled in, and can be pried loose by raccoons. It is scary leaving them outside, but if you know you've done what you can to protect them, it helps.

THANKS!! I will get hubby to take care of all the reinforcements ASAP! How did the lock on the door to the laying bins work for you?

 

[townchicks]

My prefab coop had a type of clasp that had to be turned and then slid, to open it. I didn't do anything more to that, hoping that it would be difficult for a raccoon to manage, but I. worried about it. I got away with it for 2 years (whew) but I don't know if it was ever tried. I have built a new and sturdy coop this summer, and the nest box is inside. If you can, I'd put a hasp closure on that as well. There was a post on here a while back, I've forgotten by whom, that told of a raccoon that came night after night, fiddling with the combination lock on the run door, and one night, he got it just right, and opened the lock. That was when I put keyed locks on all my doors. Those darn raccoons are too smart.