What kinda wood to use building your coop

[D100putz88]

An important point. Climate matters a lot.

Here in the Steamy Southeast of the USA the climate EATS WOOD -- even treated wood isn't reliable unless you buy the kind rated for ground contact. If your climate is cool and dry rather than hot and humid wood will last a lot longer, treated or not.

I am in central va, the coop is 2 feet off the ground. I plan on sealing the band and the joists. I know it can get humid here. I plan on putting the 4 legs in pavers that are level so the poles are not sitting in the muck. Should I use pressure treated on the floor that the birds will be on.

 

[3KillerBs]

I am in central va, the coop is 2 feet off the ground. I plan on sealing the band and the joists. I know it can get humid here. I plan on putting the 4 legs in pavers that are level so the poles are not sitting in the muck. Should I use pressure treated on the floor that the birds will be on.

As long as you can keep it dry untreated should be OK in that situation.

This week, when buying wood, DH decided to get pressure treated for the roof simply because at the current prices it was only a dollar a board more -- so check prices.

 

[RooStar Chicken Gang]

Far out, I learnt all about wood in my course but i can't recall. Don't use pine wood, yeah use treated because it won't rot as easy. There's three types of wood, one form of treated for the ocean lasts a long time five years with sea salt. Marble is hard wood, treated hardwoods there's three types of woods, look up all the hard wood types.

 

[D100putz88]

As long as you can keep it dry untreated should be OK in that situation.

This week, when buying wood, DH decided to get pressure treated for the roof simply because at the current prices it was only a dollar a board more -- so check prices.

So I can use pressure treated for the floor boards? The chickens won’t peck on it and get sick?

 

[3KillerBs]

So I can use pressure treated for the floor boards? The chickens won’t peck on it and get sick?

No, the chickens won't get sick. Modern treated wood is not toxic.

 

[D100putz88]

No, the chickens won't get sick. Modern treated wood is not toxic.

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[Impatient]

I just built my own coop and used pressure treated lumber and plywood for everything. I also coated with polyurathane inside and out. I chose pressure treated because its really humid where I live and want to avoid rot for as long as possible and the wood touches the ground in some places.

 

[neo71665]

Far out, I learnt all about wood in my course but i can't recall. Don't use pine wood, yeah use treated because it won't rot as easy. There's three types of wood, one form of treated for the ocean lasts a long time five years with sea salt. Marble is hard wood, treated hardwoods there's three types of woods, look up all the hard wood types.

In the south east US pine is the go to building material. The pressure treated wood we are referring to is pine. Other parts of the US use other things like ash. Hardwoods grow too slow to be a sustainable building material and generally saved for decorative or furniture use. A coop built out of all hardwood would cost as much as a car esp the way building materials are at a high right now. I just sold some plywood I had for double what I gave for it and that was still half for what it's going for.

Deep south Cyprus is somewhat common. It's naturally rot resistant but still costs more than pine. I do have some cyprus in my coop but only because it came from my property. A buddy of mine rough milled it for me in some exchange electrical work in his shop.

 

[RooStar Chicken Gang]

Yes pine should b fine for a chook coop actually. Cedar and red wood too. You could even use bamboo. Yeah No need for the more expensive ones folks use for furniture ect..

 

[3KillerBs]

In the south east US pine is the go to building material. The pressure treated wood we are referring to is pine. Other parts of the US use other things like ash. Hardwoods grow too slow to be a sustainable building material and generally saved for decorative or furniture use.

Yes, this.