Colors that attract chickens

[Stargrazer]

I read older posts on the subject but only found red that attracts chickens to food.

My question is this:
Are there specific colors that attract hens to lay eggs or maybe go into an area?
I'm asking because I'm building a nesting box. I'm painting it and not sure if I should paint it red inside and out or clear coat it to the natural color?
I have two shades of red paint and clear. I'm painting it to waterproof it. It's a non toxic pet safe paint.

Any suggestions?

 

[Stargrazer]

https://www.livescience.com/8099-chickens-color-humans.html

Did find this article on a prior posting. Still a good link.

 

[chickens really]

I keep mine raw wood although mine stay dry inside my Coop. I was told Red, yellow and Green Chickens like..

 

[Stargrazer]

Ohhn, very good. Thank you.
It gets so hot here I may do a light color of green or yellow.

 

[Doc7]

I wouldn’t make it too bright. Raw wood or dark or neutral colors. It should be a relatively dark place in your coop.

 

[aart]

Color is not the key for nest attractiveness...
...they need to feel safe, and that can be achieved in many ways.
Not dark, no curtains, lots of eggs.

 

[Stargrazer]

Oh, ok. Maybe I'll keep it natural then and paint some red borders or something.

 

[chickens really]

Do what ever appeals to you. They will lay eggs anywhere

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't have an opinion on which color may be best. I grew up on a farm where most of the hens laid in the hen house in open top nests made out of raw wood with hay as bedding. That hen house was relatively dark but not that dark.

Some hens did not lay in that hen house but laid other places. Many laid in a hay barn but some laid in other places outside. Some of those nets in the hay barn were on top of the hay, not that well hidden. Many of them though were sort of hidden in nooks and crannies, often with something overhead. The ones outside were usually in thick weeds or brush and on the ground, not really in bright places.

If it were me and I had to a color to paint the inside I'd probably go with a dark brown or black, something to make it look like a hidden cave, I'm guessing your nests have a top. I don't know that it matters that much what the outside color is. If I had to choose between red and clear, I'd go with clear on the inside to look closer to natural. If your nest is open topped, I'd go clear inside and out.

If your nest is hung on the outside of your coop and the chickens enter from inside your coop like many on here, it does not matter what color the outside is painted. Just make yourself happy. Light colors reflect heat better than dark. My personal preference is to not paint the inside but if you wish, I'd go with brown or something dark, with clear my choice over red.

I think there is a lot of opinion and personal preference in this. I'm not sure it really matters to the chickens.

 

[Amer]

Red attracts them, but mostly to peck something.
It won't help them lay eggs. The key is a safe, clean place that they feel they could be safe from predators and hatch eggs.