In need of some thoughts ~ New to Chickens!!!

[UrbanChick101]

We are trying to get our coop ready for chickens coming home to it in the next week or two!! We have a child's playhouse to use as a coop (Chicken Mansion

) the inside is not painted. My husband made a nice feeding box and is getting ready to make the nesting boxes. What I would like to know is if we should paint them with specail paint or if any paint will do. I have read on here a little and searched about painting with Lyme. I am wondering if this is something I should look into doing. Please offer any advice. We used some scrap wood for the feed box, and will be using it for the nesting boxes. I want to paint it to make it look nice (every chicken needs to have something white to make dirty - right?) I just need to know what paint would be best. Thank you all for your thoughts.

 

[ducks4you]

, UrbanChick101!
It's hard to make too many recommendations without pictures. You should read patandchickens's links:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-winter-coop-temperatures
You live not-too-far from me--maybe a 4-6 hours drive, so your birds will see real winter. I cannot remember the ratios of chickens-to-cubic feet, but pat can tell you--send her a PM.
As long as there is enough space, and the playhouse isn't made out of plastic or metal, they should be okay. You still have the time to make changes.
Give your birds LOADS of water in this heat, or you'll lose them. Even in the winter, they still drink a lot of water.
If you are painting wood, just use a good quality exterior. Construction grade paint is good quality, but the colors are limited. DON'T use cheap paint. I've used it, and it's so watered down, that is really is like whitewash, looks like a watermark, and takes way too many coats to cover.
Paint the feet or bottom with 1 or 2 extra coats, because they get the worst weathering.

 

[AllTheseCreatures]

A coat of primer will help with the durability and coverage too. My home improvement book says one coat of paint will last you 5 years if it isn't exposed to dampness and 10 years with 2 coats. I don't like flat paint because it seems to attract dirt and it's hard to clean. Satin or high gloss is easier to keep clean.

I agree, skip the cheap paint.

 

[birdicus7]

After 20 years of construction experience I can tell you any paint job is only as good as the preparation. I strongly advise using a Kitchen and Bath paint because they are formulated for high moisture environments. A good quality primer is a must...I have excellent luck with Sherwin-Williams brand but it is definitely not cheap!

 

[rhodered10]

If u can get a paint that wont be to harmful in case the chickens decide tp peck at it and be sure to do a good job of painting it because any bumps or bubbles and the chickens will peck at it also u should use if u can a dark paint they like a nice dark space to lay their eggs.

 

[Chickenfarmer 1-2-b]

I use white high gloss paint. It keeps the inside of the coop brighter when the daytime shortens in the winter. They need 12-14 hours of light per day to maximize their laying. Make sure you use primer first, it is better to use a coat of primer and 1 coat of paint than 2 coats of paint without the primer. High gloss paint helps me rinse the poo off the wall easier. Those chickens sure can spray, lol.