Is cedar coop ok?

[stellasswag]

i just built a coop for my chickens. I repaired/modified an old dog house as the indoor part. I created a stand for it and then built a large run attached to it. Only now I am realizing that the dog house is cedar. is that ok?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Probably depends on the age but in theory anything aromatic is hard on tiny respiratory systems.
Some things can be alleviated with huge ventilation.
Space and ventilation are key elements for healthy chickens.
How many chickens? What's the square footage of the coop? What is the square footage of the openings - that will be open 24/7 12 months?

 

[TwoCrows]

It depends on a lot of things. How large is the coop? Cedar wood airs off eventually. We built our entire coop and run out of cedar fence posts and not only did it all air off, but the chickens never had any trouble with it before it did air off. If there is good ventilation, and the coop is large enough, then the odor will vent off, even if they are inside the cedar coop.

 

[Crooked-Creek]

I think an old dog house has probably aired out plenty. Fresh cedar might give you chickens problems in a confined area. We used cedar shavings for bedding before we knew not to and never had any problems. Post a pick of you newly converted coop. Good Luck !!!

 

[teach1rusl]

I converted this cedar doghouse into a small coop doing exactly as you did, setting it up on a table-like platform I built (plus other modifications).

My chickens did just fine in it (for me it was a grow-out coop). Weathered cedar is not the same as cedar bedding....

 

[Crooked-Creek]

That sounds like it will work just fine. Good Luck !!!

 

[Biologrady]

Agreed, if its old and ventilated it should be ok... Does it smell of cedar? If so and you're worried you could paint it?

 

[stellasswag]

so it will be ok to paint? and any special kind of paint for chickens?

 

[Crooked-Creek]

We use water based paints around our chickens. There are some really good exterion paints at Lowes. Valspar Duramax Semi Gloss worked pretty well for us. Less fumes with an easy clean up.

 

[TwoCrows]

You can even stain it. We use stain on everything and it is not harmful to the chickens. At least not that I am aware of. They have eaten pieces of stained wood all their lives and nobody has ever turned up ill.

What ever you chose to cover it with, let it air off for a couple of days before putting the chickens in so that it is not too fumy for the birds.