Chicken Coop

[MuckyPuppy]

I would like to make a chicken coop for 12 laying hens because all the ones I have liked are way too expensive. I want to use marine ply because of it's weather resistance and lack of places for red mite to hide but all of the posts I have seen on the stuff have mentioned how expensive it is. Does anybody know how expensive enough marine ply for a chicken house would be in the UK and would it be suitable product for a chicken house.

 

[MuckyPuppy]

Chicken House not chicken coop.

 

[big-all]

go for 12mm exteriour ply around £20 an 8x4 sheet build you roof with a good overhang extend the bottom edge 1" beyond the floor or any other part off the structure and give it 2 or 3 coats of animal freindly coating and felt on the roof
this should last for around 7 years if you recoat and felt after 5 it should go on for another 5 years

 

[MuckyPuppy]

Thank you very much for your reply, I will try that ....... just hope hubby and I can manage to hammer the nails in straight.

 

[chrisz]

or perhaps a timber frame and tongue and groove cladding with a suitable weatherproof finish?

 

[MuckyPuppy]

Thank you Chris for your reply. Sorry for responding late. I have seen some with the tongue and groove cladding you mentioned. They look very nice so might go that way. I've decided on a portable one that I can move around the garden so which ever way is lightest I'll go with. Thank you both again for your input.

 

[big-all]

Thank you Chris for your reply. Sorry for responding late. I have seen some with the tongue and groove cladding you mentioned. They look very nice so might go that way. I've decided on a portable one that I can move around the garden so which ever way is lightest I'll go with. Thank you both again for your input.

youve just seen the program on the telly where the printer turned his hand to building the coops and finnishrd up with 36 workers !!!

 

[gangman]

For the roof you would be better off using onduline or something similar, and not felt. When you get red mite under the felt you'll never get rid of them. Don't under estimate the problem of red mite.

The whole house should be designed so there is nowhere for the mite to hide, the least amount of cracks and crevices you can manage. Don't build it to look "nice", it's more important that it's functional.

The easiest I've found is just ply. Treat it once a year, lasts for ages. I've tried a few remedies for mite and in my opinion creosote is the best. The problem then is you will need two sheds for the hens but they will last.

 

[gregers]

think ive seen it on here that you are not allowed to use creosote?

 

[breezer]

think ive seen it on here that you are not allowed to use creosote?

so have I, its banned

 

[gangman]

Lucky I bought 25 liters then.