Paint or not? - Page 2

Howdy,

Some things are easier to save on than others. If you have a paint store, Home depot or Lowes around shop for buckets that have been mixed wrong. That is usually the way I choose my colors.

2 days ago I bought 5 gallons of valspar paint that usually runs $108. for 30$.  Color is kinda of white. But a $6 a gallon it did not matter. Every time I go to one of these stores I check for cheap paint. Not much color selection  but for chicken coops and out buildings I don't think it matters so much.

Chris

After talking to several older farmers in my area, we elected to whitewash our coop.  Nearly a year later, the walls are still a sharp white and we haven't (knock on wood) seen any lice, mites, or other avian pests. 

The reason we didn't go with paint was my concern that our young chicks might peck at it (and peck, they did).  It was also deeply economical, and I have enough hydrated lime to reapply new white wash for years and years to come!

I wrote about it on my blog here: http://gardeninggrl.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/preparing-for-chickens-whitewashing-the-coop/ and haven't regretted it at all! 

The oops paint at Lowes   $3.00 and up .

I am converting an old coop that hasn't had chickens it in for at least 5 years. I believe I am going to whitewash it because I have no history on the old flock and I want to make sure it is disinfected. I though I read somewhere that you have to use a metal bucket to mix whitewash because of the chemical reaction of hydrated lime and water.

I'd never heard of the chemical reaction problem -- we used a two dollar plastic bucket from Lowe's with no problem at all (and after a good, long wash, the bucket still doubles as my compost carrier for the kitchen). 

i ddnt paint the inside of my coop the only thing i painted inside was the plywood floor painted it yellow. but i did paint the outside of the coop like 2 weeks ago painted it grey looks better now b4 it was a dull roughf wood color from the woode i used to build it with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottM 

My first preference is free, the second preference is eggshell finish (easier wipe down)

Eggshell finish.....   lol  thanks for the chuckle

Tee hee