Best inside the coop=Paint, Varnish, Shellac

[Markp1964]

What is the best interior surface finish-or is raw wood better?

 

[wren]

There is more than a few schools of thought about this. Some feel that it's best to paint all wood surfaces to reduce the amount of hiding places for mites, and as long as the paint is not peeling it's great. Some think that untreated wood is the safest. Some like a washable surface and put vinyl up on the wall or some other simular material.

 

[greginshasta]

I read some posts previously that talked about whitewash. I jiust performed a search and found a link that pointed to this recipe.

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/4095/resources/recipes.htm

Perhaps others will chime in and talk about the value of using this instead of paint.

 

[TundraChick]

IMO

I like plain exposed wood..you can dust with DE for mites. If you paint or varnish the chickens will peck it off.

I have heard that the glue in vinyl flooring can harbor mites which are then hard to get to to kill.

 

[Dawn419]

I'm using a food grade Diatomaceous Earth whitewash in our playhouse coop (pest deterrent). I apply the whitewash to all the roosts (helps dry the poo quicker).

Recipe:

1 cup food grade DE to half a gallon of water.

Hope this is some help!

Dawn

 

[silkiechicken]

I've pained everything with wood stain or latex wood stain. Chickens don't peck it off and it keeps the wood healthier longer.

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
Thank you, I have always wondered exactly what whitewash is - now I know! So the value of it is - no chemicals?

Phyllis

 

[spottedtail]

Two or three coats of MinWax polyurethane is by far the best interior finish I've ever used.

Poly gives an extremely durable hard shell finish that's smooth and easily cleaned. And it's waterproof plus it gives a nice golden glow when applied to bare wood.
Use the exterior or spar type of course...

spot