Coop project: Hens moved in

[tlharv]

I moved the six 1-month old hens into the henhouse over the weekend. I'll keep them "upstairs" for the next few days, which will buy me time to fully enclose the sides and finish the trap-door and ramp down. After that's done, I'll work on the greater surrounding enclosure so they have more room to roam.

Note: this is in a corner of the yard that gets very little direct sun except in the late afternoon. What's the best way to coat/treat those fir 2x4's that are currently exposed? Could I use the same exterior barn red paint that was used above?

 

[Puck-Puck]

Beautiful, soggy Cascadia...so long as the chickens don't peck the paint--someone else had better tell you if they'll do that--painting those supports seems like a good idea. I can't tell for sure from the picture, but are the posts standing on any kind of concrete or stone, or are they in direct contact with the ground? If they're in direct contact, they'll rot quickly in the PNW, so I'd suggest a concrete paver or flat rock under each, and maybe little tarpaper or piece of asphalt shingle between the wood and the concrete as a barrier against dampness.

 

[lux_interior]

For our coop, we used treated 2 x 4's for the bottom four boards directly touching the ground.... but I also used outdoor barn and fence paint for all the other wood exposed. It's supposed to be weather proof, so It should make a great sealant. And I wouldn't worry about the chickens pecking the paint, they'll have other things to peck at, and paint isn't made with lead anymore, so it won't hurt them

And nice coop by the way! It looks very cosy for your ladies

 

[tlharv]

The structure is elevated 12" off the ground, currently with pneumatic tires on one end and legs on the other as I first intended for it to be a tractor. However, the finished design is way too heavy, so I'll remove the wheels & legs and put 4x4 cedar posts in there, and elevate them on concrete piers.

I'll go ahead and paint all exposed wood with barn red exterior paint. Should make for a cleaner overall look.

This part of the yard is full of bugs & worms, so the hens will have lots to peck at besides red paint!

 

[ducks4you]

Really cute coop! Love the "attic ventilation".
You should leave the greenery below for the birds to eat.

I don't know about the birds eating the paint, But if it's humid where you live---like it is HERE--the weather will rot out your wood. So...I say paint it.

Also, for NEXT time---please don't think I'm being critical--our painting jobs last longer when we prime.
JUST food for thought, FYI, information for whoever cares, etc.:

"The reason you always want to prime wood before painting is twofold – to protect the paint, and to protect the wood. A number of modern paints dry into proper color and hardness via evaporation, meaning they require the water to find its way into the atmosphere. The problem is that wood is a notoriously thirsty substance, and it is easy for water to get absorbed into the grain itself. Often the paint will begin to pucker and peel if the wood isn’t dry, making it necessary to scrape and start over. Paint primer creates a watertight seals between the two and ensures the paint has a smooth and adhesive surface with which to bond. "
http://homeimprovement.superpages.com/painting/do-i-need-to-use-paint-primer.html

NOT Like I always prime!!!!!!!!

**ducks4you runs away and hides from the paint buckets being thrown**

 

[chickens3]

Nice coop i like the way you bult it.

 

[tlharv]

Primer is a good idea -- I didn't use it in order to save cost, but I'll try it on the fir studs underneath and on the 4x4 legs. I'd rather do the work now and avoid recurring work (and cost) down the road!

I'm here to tap the collective wisdom, so keep those ideas flowing!

 

[AtRendeAcres]