Chicken Coop - Materials + Waterproofing

**LTurner** · 4th February 2013, 02:27 PM

Hi,
I've been enlisted by my wife to build a chicken coop, and was after some advice, mainly with regards to waterproofing.

I've got some 42mm x 19mm Tasmanian oak from Bunnings for the frame (while I realise I probably should have asked for advice about this before buying it, it's a bit late now

) , and was planning to use exterior plywood for the sides/roof/floor of the coop (the actual house will approx 50cm off the ground).

I plan to have the roof overhang on each side by 10-15cm to keep out most of the rain (simple slanted roof, not a-frame), but I'm not sure what needs to be done to the wood to make it stand up to the elements? Is it sufficient to paint it with an exterior paint, or is there something else that needs to be done too (or could be done instead)?

Also, if anyone has a better suggestion than plywood for the walls/floor/roof, then I'm all ears.

Thanks.

**Handyjack** · 4th February 2013, 06:26 PM

If you want to you could use a roofing material such as corrugated iron, mini orb or a polycarbonate sheet. If you can allow an air gap so the coop does not get over hot in the summer.
All are available at large hardware stores.

**orraloon** · 4th February 2013, 10:20 PM

Use a the materials you have got so far. Exterior ply is good for the walls, floor and roof if you like but get something really waterproof to go over it with an overhang so that water does not enter the structure. As has been pointed out the raidation from the sun has to be factored in so plenty of air gap to stop the thing being an oven. I have not looked myself but google should have something on how to construct a chicken coop. My dad had a chook farm in Scotland so I am familiar with the beasties but there we were concerned with keeping them warm over here the thing is to keep them cool.
Treated pine runners on bricks would be a good base for the floor. As long as your tas oak stays dry it will be an OK frame.
Regards
John

**TORB** · 7th February 2013, 06:48 PM

When I made mine, I used MDF for the roof and used many coats of high quality paint. So far so good, but UV is not a problem as I keep it under the trees. For the frame, I used treated pine, but Tassie oak is good stuff and I would think about using decking oil to protect it.

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