Coop interior... to paint or not to paint?

[HSMomma3]

We are new to the chicken game, and our coop is almost complete. We are using plywood for the floor, and walls... I've seen many coop designs, and pics online, of chicken folks who paint the inside of their coops. Walls, floor, everything... is that for necessity? or for convenience? Do you need to cover over chemicals in the plywood or something, or is it just to make cleaning easier? Thanks for any advice !

 

[goodbull92]

I am in about the same stage of our coop construction & have the same question. We will not be creating an interior wall, so to speak, so the studs will be exposed. I have thought about creating the ole time white wash for the entire interior out of Lime & water. We need input on this subject also. Please help us both!

 

[JackE]

It isn't mandatory. I painted the inside of my coop white, it helps brighten up the coop by reflecting the sunlight. Also, with a white interior it is easier to see insect pests for removal. I used a gloss white porch and deck paint from Lowes.
Jack

 

[coolcanoechic]

I painted the interior of my coop for cleaning purposes. Chickens splash lots of poop everywhere, even on the walls. Plain plywood might absorb some of the wet and the odors, especially at the base where the cut edge of the plywood is.

My walls are plywood with a coat of bin to keep knots and things like that from coming through. Then a coat of primer, and two coats of a highly washable latex paint. Primer isn't really needed if using bin over the whole thing, because bin also works as a primer. The bin actually acts like shellac and helps to waterproof the wood somewhat as well as making less likely to absorb odors. I have washed my coop down with a light bleach solution a few times already and it has held up very well. Still looks bright and new.

The chickens probably don't care what the coop looks like, but you might enjoy it better with a little color on the inside.

 

[HSMomma3]

Thanks for the input guys!! Looks like I will ask the hubby about painting... sounds like a good idea.

 

[gardenlady]

I just painted the interior of my new coop, yesterday. It probably wasn't necessary, but I had the paint in the basement and it needed to be used up. Plus I'm kind of into interior design and my chicks are going to have a chicken palace when I'm done

 

[Caity]

I just painted the inside of our new coop yesterday, too. I used a pale-yellow semi-gloss left over from our bathroom. That plywood is like a sponge, and I didn't want it absorbing and holding chicken-waste smell! I couldn't believe how much paint it absorbed.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

We primed the coop and then painted the inside of the coop white.



The egg boxes were painted brown so that they would appear darker and more inviting for the chickens to lay their eggs in the egg boxes.



From the inside of the coop hte egg boxes look darker and shadowy, just what a hen is looking for to lay her eggs.

 

[AlicesSilkies]

Fab idea to leave the nest boxes unpainted!! I will be taking that idea too

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I just painted the inside of our new coop yesterday, too. I used a pale-yellow semi-gloss left over from our bathroom. That plywood is like a sponge, and I didn't want it absorbing and holding chicken-waste smell! I couldn't believe how much paint it absorbed.

We put down a primer...The ceder siding and the chip board absorb paint at an incredable rate....Still took a lot of paint to cover the coop though.